piñon

noun

pi·​ñon ˈpin-ˌyōn 

-ˌyän, 

-yən;

pin-ˈyōn

variants or pinyon

plural piñons or pinyons or piñones pin-ˈyō-nēz 

: any of various small pines (such as Pinus quadrifolia, P. cembroides, P. edulis, and P. monophylla) of western North America with edible seeds

also : the edible seed of a piñon

Examples of piñon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finley split pinon kindling burns in fire pits across the property. — Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

However, elk also thrive in lower-elevation landscapes, especially in the West, where prairie grasses provide year-round sustenance and dense pockets of cedar and pinon give elk enough cover. — Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, 22 Feb. 2024

There are open areas of prairie-like landscape, big hills covered with pinon and cedar trees and deep canyons. — Jace Bauserman, Outdoor Life, 23 Dec. 2020

Dine Nez was a shepherd on the high mesa of the reservation near Jones Ranch, where rolling hills of pinon, ponderosa, juniper and oak are divided by lush meadows and deep canyons. — Betty Reid, azcentral, 29 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish piñón, from Spanish, pine nut, from piña pine cone, from Latin pinea — more at pineal entry 1

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

piñon

noun

pi·​ñon

variants or pinyon

ˈpin-ˌyōn  -ˌyän 

-yən;

pin-ˈyōn

plural piñons or pinyons or piñones pin-ˈyō-nēz 

: any of various small pines of western North America with edible seeds

also : the edible seed of a piñon