macadamia nut

noun

mac·​a·​da·​mia nut ˌma-kə-ˈdā-mē-ə- 

: a hard-shelled nut of an Australian evergreen tree (genus Macadamia, especially M. integrifolia or M. tetraphylla) of the protea family that somewhat resembles the filbert and is cultivated extensively in Hawaii

called also macadamia

Examples of macadamia nut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crops that depend on honey bees and other pollinators to grow include fruits and vegetables -- like apples, strawberries, cucumbers and avocados -- but also nuts, such as almonds and macadamia nuts, the USDA said. —Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025

While the brand is limited to just macadamia nuts, the quality of its products should outweigh the quantity. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025

These foods include chocolate, grapes (raisins and sultanas, too), onions (also garlic, leeks, and chives), xylitol, avocado, macadamia nuts, and bread dough. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025

The low-linoleic acid group received a bottle comprised of 75% macadamia nut oil and 25% olive oil, whereas the high-linoleic acid group’s bottle was 75% corn oil and 25% olive oil. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Macadamia, genus name, from John Macadam †1865 Scottish-born Australian chemist + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1

Note: The genus Macadamia was named by the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand Mueller (1825-96; originally Müller, later von Mueller) in "Account of some New Australian Plants," "Read before the Institute, 5th August, 1857," Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria, from January to December, 1857, vol. 2 (1858), p. 72. Mueller noted that the naming was "dedicated to John Macadam, Esq., M.D., the talented and deserving Secretary of our Institute."

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for macadamia nut

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut

Kids Definition

macadamia nut

noun

mac·​a·​da·​mia nut ˌmak-ə-ˈdā-mē-ə- 

: a hard-shelled nut of an Australian evergreen tree widely grown in Hawaii

called also macadamia

Etymology

John Macadam, died 1865, Australian chemist