hickory

noun

hick·​o·​ry ˈhi-k(ə-)rē How to pronounce hickory (audio)
plural hickories
1
a
: any of a genus (Carya) of North American hardwood trees of the walnut family that often have sweet edible nuts
b
: the usually tough wood of a hickory
2
: a switch or cane (as of hickory wood) used especially for punishing a child
hickory adjective

Examples of hickory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tree produces edible hickory nuts enclosed in a thick husk. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Oct. 2025 The few mourners walked away beneath the crooked, treeless oaks and hickories of the Westminster Presbyterian burying ground. Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025 They can be ordered three different ways, including in a five or nine-piece entree with hickory barbecue sauce. Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Additionally, the hickory stripe denim used in the collection has a lighter, smoother weight than modern stiffer fabrications. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hickory

Word History

Etymology

short for obsolete pokahickory, from Virginia Algonquian pawcohiccora food prepared from pounded nuts

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hickory was in 1670

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Hickory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hickory. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

hickory

noun
hick·​o·​ry ˈhik-(ə-)rē How to pronounce hickory (audio)
plural hickories
1
: any of a genus of North American trees related to the walnut and having an edible nut with a hard shell
2
: the usually tough pale wood of a hickory

Geographical Definition

Hickory

geographical name

Hick·​o·​ry ˈhi-kə-rē How to pronounce Hickory (audio)
city in west central North Carolina population 40,010

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