pecan

noun

pe·​can pi-ˈkän  -ˈkan  ˈpē-ˌkan 

1

: a large hickory (Carya illinoinensis synonym C. oliviformis) that has roughish bark and hard but brittle wood and is widely grown in the warmer parts of the U.S. and in Mexico for its edible nut

2

: the wood of the pecan tree

The hardwood floor was made of pecan.

3

: the smooth oblong thin-shelled nut of the pecan tree

bought some pecans to make a pie

Examples of pecan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No fussing with pie crust, instead the bottom layer of this 9x13 dessert is moist spice cake while a brown-sugar-pecan streusel topping adds a nice crunch atop the pumpkin pie filling. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025

Cherry Pistachio Pecan Granola Someone smart at TJ’s ripped off the famous Eleven Madison Park granola, but skimped on the pricey pecans and pistachios. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025

To make this apple dump cake, simply add pie filling and cake mix to a slow cooker along with butter, pecans, and apple pie spice. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025

Also, this year's meal includes the ingredients to make a pumpkin pie, while last year's meal included a Marie Callender's southern pecan pie. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American French pacane, from Illinois pakani

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pecan

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

pecan

noun

pe·​can pi-ˈkän  -ˈkan 

: an oblong edible nut that usually has a thin shell and is the fruit of a tall tree of the central and southern U.S.

also : this tree which is one of the hickories