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

Day-old sourdough bread is the trick to a tasty topping with pecans. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025

Old Fashioned shelf stable pies include blueberry, caramel dutch apple, double crust apple, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, dutch apple, mixed berry, pecan, pecan chocolate chip, chess, and chocolate chess. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025

Pumpkin, apple or pecan pies; rolls with butter; cornbread; cranberry orange relish; gravy; and wines are available to complete your Thanksgiving dinner. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 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

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