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

Swipe forkfuls through two sauces, one based on green chile and the other on coconut vinegar. —Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025

Pineapple chunks, maraschino, and coconut are suspended in a slightly gelatinous, condensed milk filling. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 July 2025

Inspired by the Guns N’ Roses classic, the refreshing-but-assertive cocktail ($15) features Four Roses single-barrel bourbon, Aperol, coconut and lemon. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025

Coconut coir, on the other hand, is made up of fibers extracted from coconut husks, a quick-growing resource from tropical countries, and is also less expensive than peat moss. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 June 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