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

From a nutritional standpoint, one of the most significant differences between macadamia nuts and hazelnuts is their vitamin B content, says Lvova. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

Combine tropical fruits, like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit, and add macadamia nuts for a tropical riff on the dish. —Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025

An Oscar, a Grammy, and an MTV Video Music Award are positioned unobtrusively among kitschy treasures like an ancient can of macadamia nuts with Spam and a cassette of a speech by Bob Dole. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025

The Annihilator is an espresso with a chocolate macadamia nut breve. —Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 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