almond

noun

al·​mond ˈä-mənd  ˈa-  ˈäl- 

ˈal-

1

a

: the drupaceous fruit of a small tree (Prunus dulcis synonym P. amygdalus) of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling those of the peach

especially : its ellipsoidal edible kernel used as a nut

b

: any of several similar fruits

2

: a tree that produces almonds

Illustration of almond

• almond 1a

Did you know?

This nut is seed of a tree in the rose family, native to Southwest Asia. The tree grows somewhat larger and lives longer than the peach. It is strikingly beautiful when in flower. The nuts are either sweet or bitter. Sweet almonds are the edible type consumed as nuts and used in cooking. The extracted oil of bitter almonds is used to make flavoring extracts for foods and liqueurs. Almonds provide small amounts of protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins, and are high in fat.

Examples of almond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Erin Traynor is a two-time finalist who made it to the baking stage in 2018 with her almond coffee cookies and in 2019 with her drunk uncle cookies. — Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Smoothie King free offer Smoothie King is giving rewards members a free 12-ounce high-protein almond mocha smoothie on Monday and Tuesday. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Daniela would be dark chocolate with almonds, Lara would be salted caramel, Sophia would be strawberry creme, Megan would be cookies and creme, and Yoonchae? — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026

When the 2023 flood came, his crew scrambled to set up about 30 diesel pumps and sent water flowing onto a vineyard and orchards of almonds, pistachios and olives. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English almande, from Anglo-French alemande from Late Latin amandula, alteration of Latin amygdala, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing almond

• almond/cashew butter
• almond-eyed
• almond milk
• bitter almond
• Jordan almond

Kids Definition

almond

noun

al·​mond ˈäm-ənd  ˈam- 

ˈäl-mənd, 

ˈal-

: a small tree related to the roses and having flowers like those of a peach tree

also : the edible kernel of its fruit used as a nut

Medical Definition

almond

noun

al·​mond ˈäm-ənd  ˈam-; ˈäl-mənd  ˈal- 

1

: a small tree (Prunus amygdalus) of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling those of the peach

2

: the drupaceous fruit of the almond

especially : its ellipsoidal edible kernel used as a nut compare amygdalin