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

Coir, a fibrous material made from by-products of coconut husks; it is often used as a substitute for peat. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

Wagyu Keema Naan, and the Beef Shortrib Pepper Fry with coconut and South Indian spices are both new additions. —Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2025

Snuggle inside one of the large glass pods on the giant observation wheel for their new Festive Afternoon Tea to nosh on tea sandwiches, scones and sweets like a coconut cardamom tart and mince pie, while watching the city’s beauty slowly glide by. —Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Cookies available include coconut comfort, molasses, pistachio, peanut butter blossom, and fudge spritz, along with a selection of holiday breads, candies and peanut brittle. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 28 Nov. 2025

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