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nutcracker

noun
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nut·​crack·​er | \ ˈnət-ˌkra-kər How to pronounce nutcracker (audio) \

Definition of nutcracker

: an implement for cracking nuts

Examples of nutcracker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The encroachment of subalpine ecosystems threatens species that have lived in formerly alpine habitats for thousands of years, including trees such as whitebark pine, flowers such as moss campion, and birds such as Clark’s nutcracker. — Mara Johnson-groh, Smithsonian Magazine, "Because of Climate Change, Canada’s Rocky Mountain Forests Are on the Move," 17 Aug. 2020 Get ready to browse through smokers, pyramids, nutcrackers and pickles. — Jordyn Noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee's Christkindlmarket begins this weekend. Here's what you need to know," 14 Nov. 2019 Clara receives a nutcracker toy from her uncle at her Christmas party but would never imagine what would happen next. — Roy Kent, Houston Chronicle, "THIS WEEK: Katy ISD board may name school, new principal," 15 Dec. 2019 French doors lead to a tall nutcracker on the balcony. — oregonlive, "Oregon families celebrate the holidays at home with well-loved traditions," 18 Dec. 2019 The village, on display at Fort Steuben Park and the immediate area, features 150 six-foot-tall nutcrackers, with more added each year. — Phil Marty, chicagotribune.com, "Icy art in Shipshewana, Santa at Starved Rock and more Midwest events," 10 Dec. 2019 Meanwhile, Seacrest wore a red sweater with a nutcracker drummer design that had a similar feature. — Jodi Guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Ryan Seacrest Falls off His Chair on Live with Kelly and Ryan: 'First Fumble of the New Season'," 7 Jan. 2020 Picks and nutcrackers go to the right, with the knives. — Judith Martin, Washington Post, "Miss Manners: College slobs getting grosser, custodian says," 18 Dec. 2019 For the uninitiated, the story begins when a young girl, Clara, receives a wooden nutcracker as a gift at her family’s Christmas party. — Rosemarie Dowell, orlandosentinel.com, "Mount Dora School of Ballet offers a ‘feast for the eyes’ — ‘The Nutcracker’," 4 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nutcracker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of nutcracker

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for nutcracker

Time Traveler

The first known use of nutcracker was in the 15th century

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Statistics for nutcracker

Last Updated

30 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Nutcracker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nutcracker. Accessed 27 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for nutcracker

nutcracker

noun
How to pronounce nutcracker (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of nutcracker

: a tool or device that is used to open the shells of nuts

See the full definition for nutcracker in the English Language Learners Dictionary

nutcracker

noun
nut·​crack·​er | \ ˈnət-ˌkra-kər How to pronounce nutcracker (audio) \

Kids Definition of nutcracker

: a device used for cracking the shells of nuts

More from Merriam-Webster on nutcracker

Nglish: Translation of nutcracker for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nutcracker

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