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

Classic Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo shine, while fresh favorites like fish tacos and coconut flan are menu highlights. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2026

Dessert was a mango coconut mousse situation with sea salted orange foam that played with sweet and salty in the best way. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Jan. 2026

Check out the Coconut Wireless (featuring pineapple, coconut, ginger, allspice and almond), the Zero Proof (apple spice, soda water, citrus, cranberry and ginger) or the Pivot (ARU coffee and coconut horchata syrup). —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 31 Dec. 2025

What’s not to love about an airy vanilla cake, a billowy seven-minute frosting, and a shower of coconut for crunch? —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 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