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

Sprinkle candied pecans atop the homemade cream cheese icing for a little crunch. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026

The Texas location will smoke the meats in the classic Hill Country way with oak, pecan or hickory chips. —Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026

Why not use pecans from north Florida? —Connie Ogle february 3, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

Choose a filling of cinna-butter, Bavarian, chocolate Bavarian, pecan praline, cherry, cream cheese, cherry cream cheese, apple or strawberry cream cheese. —Sonia Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026

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