pistachio

noun

pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈsta-sh(ē-ˌ)ō  -ˈstä- 

plural pistachios

: a small Asian tree (Pistacia vera) of the cashew family whose drupaceous fruit contains a greenish edible seed

also : its seed

Examples of pistachio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and top with the pistachios, chile, flaky salt and a little more oil. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025

It's also inspired regional variations such as frog eye salad, which adds a tiny, round pasta, and Watergate salad, which has a pistachio pudding twist. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Amanda Nusz, Target’s senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and beauty, told WWD that pistachio and marshmallow scents, specifically, are gaining traction with the new year almost upon us. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025

The hills of their property are stacked with a variety of fruit and nut trees–from apples, pears, avocados and pistachios to lychees, mangoes, pecans and chestnuts. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian pistacchio, from Latin pistacium pistachio nut, from Greek pistakion, from pistakē pistachio tree, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian pistah pistachio tree

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pistachio

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

pistachio

noun

pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈstash-(ē-ˌ)ō  -ˈstäsh- 

plural pistachios

: a small Asian tree that is related to the sumacs and has a fruit containing a greenish edible seed

also : its seed