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

And in Queen Village, Majdal Bakery is serving sourdough flatbreads topped with za'atar grown in baker Kenan Rabah’s father's garden, and a babka stuffed with tahini, maple, and pecans. —Regan Stephens, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 May 2026

Chopped pecans, Granny Smith apples, celery, and red onion give amazing crunch. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2026

The interior is perfectly tender, the pecans and brown sugar get a little crunchy and toasty on top, and the banana flavor comes through in every bite. —Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2026

Pecan Jacks also sells a few dairy-free and gluten-free flavors, and most stores offer boozy varieties of ice cream, like the bourbon pecan praline, available for customers 21 and older. —Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 May 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