coconut

noun

co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət 

1

: the drupaceous fruit of the coconut palm whose outer fibrous husk yields coir and whose nut contains thick edible meat and, in the fresh fruit, a clear liquid (see coconut water)

2

: the edible meat of the coconut

Examples of coconut in a Sentence

The pastry is covered with shredded coconut.

Recent Examples on the Web

The palate is rich yet elegant, with flavors of honey, baking spice, coconut cream, light tropical fruit, and sweet oak. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

Tell us about the coconut curry noodle soup that sparked this whole restaurant journey. —Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026

Wrapped in a banana leaf and left to dry before cooking, the fish takes on a firm, luxurious texture that melts into a pool of red pepper coconut broth. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

The pineapple coconut curry from the Krishna Temple in Udupi, the dal from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the sweet rice from the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and the modaks from the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai resonated with me far more deeply than the sauces I was taught in culinary school. —Vikas Khanna, Time, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coconut

• coconut crab
• coconut milk
• coconut oil
• coconut palm
• coconut shy
• coconut water

Rhymes for coconut

• butternut
• cocoanut
• hazelnut
• undercut
• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut

Kids Definition

coconut

noun

co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət 

: the large egg-shaped husk-covered fruit of the coconut palm

Medical Definition

coconut

noun

co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət 

1

: the fruit of the coconut palm having an outer fibrous husk with a nut containing thick edible meat and coconut milk

2

: the edible meat of the coconut