mesquite

noun

mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt 

me-

: any of several spiny leguminous trees or shrubs (genus Prosopis and especially P. glandulosa) chiefly of the southwestern U.S. that often form extensive thickets and have sweet pods eaten by livestock

also : the wood of the mesquite used especially in grilling food

Illustration of mesquite

• 1 flower and leaves
• 2 pod

Examples of mesquite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Directional lighting picks out paintings and sculpture, but also two benches hewn from mesquite and backed by the instantly recognizable Tracy grillwork. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

The best versions of this traditional material are crafted from hardwoods like mesquite and oak. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

But within minutes of hiking into the desert, creosote bushes and mesquite pull the sand into disorienting mounds that can, without warning, block the view in every direction. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 2 June 2025

The water looks tropical at first, almost Caribbean, but the landscape beside it is marked with mesquite and cactus. —Outside Online, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Nahuatl mizquitl

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mesquite

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

mesquite

noun

mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt 

me-

: a thorny deep-rooted tree or shrub of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that belongs to the legume family, produces pods rich in sugar, and is important as food for livestock

also : the wood of the mesquite used especially in grilling food

Geographical Definition

Mesquite

geographical name

Mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt 

me-

city in northeastern Texas east of Dallas population 139,824