apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈa-prə-ˌkät  ˈā- 

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

The palate is equally pleasing and maybe a touch more, with a hefty helping of both oak and fruit (think cooked orchard fruit like peaches and apricots). —David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

While orange is the most common color, there are now apricot, pink and white varieties. —Arkansas Online, 22 Aug. 2025

Vawter also preserves summer’s bounty, like cherries, apricots, nectarines, and peaches. —Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025

Fresh peaches can be replaced with fresh nectarines or apricots, or frozen peaches. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for apricot

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot
• huguenot

Kids Definition

apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈap-rə-ˌkät  ˈā-prə- 

: an oval orange-colored fruit resembling the related peach and plum in flavor

also : a tree that bears apricots