cashew

noun

cash·​ew ˈka-(ˌ)shü 

kə-ˈshü

: a tropical American tree (Anacardium occidentale of the family Anacardiaceae, the cashew family) grown for a phenolic oil and the edible kernel of its nut and for a gum from its stem

also : cashew nut

Examples of cashew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The menu includes porridge made from mung beans with cashews and coconut milk, lentil soup with chili or lemon rice with peanuts, mustard seeds and turmeric. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

They are often compared to cashews, with a unique piney note. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 21 Jan. 2026

Good matcha lattes start with high quality green tea leaves that are ground fine, creating a powder that is whisked into one or more types of milk, including macadamia, cashew, almond, coconut, oat and dairy. —Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026

Eating cashews regularly may reduce your heart disease risk because of their blood pressure-lowering effects. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese cajú, acajú, from Tupi akajú

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cashew

• cashew nut

Rhymes for cashew

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

cashew

noun

ca·​shew

ˈkash-ü, 

kə-ˈshü

: an edible nut that is shaped like a kidney and comes from a tropical American tree that is related to the sumacs

also : the tree that produces cashews