apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈa-prə-ˌkät How to pronounce apricot (audio) ˈā- How to pronounce apricot (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: the oval orange-colored fruit of a temperate-zone tree (Prunus armeniaca) resembling the related peach and plum in flavor
b
: a tree that bears apricots
2
: a variable color averaging a moderate orange

Examples of apricot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Honey is one of the first notes that leaps out at you on the nose, along with vanilla and apricot. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026 Trees throughout the property provide oranges, avocados, bananas, papayas, pomelos, apples, plums, limes, figs, tangerines, guavas, lemons, peaches, pears, apricots, mangoes, passion fruit and olives. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 Their efforts raised the temperature in the orchards by eight degrees, keeping it above freezing and saving most of the peaches, apricots, and cherries. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 Plums and pluots are smaller, so they can be thinned to 4-6 inches apart, while still smaller apricots should be separated by 3-5 inches. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apricot

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier abrecock, ultimately from Arabic al-birqūq the apricot, ultimately from Latin (persicum) praecox, literally, early ripening (peach) — more at precocious

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of apricot was in 1580

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apricot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apricot. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

apricot

noun
: an oval orange-colored fruit resembling the related peach and plum in flavor
also : a tree that bears apricots

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