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

These Turkish treats sometimes meld with the desserts, as in the case of the triangular wedge of pistachio baklava that can sandwich a thick pile of vanilla dondurma. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2024

That’s what my cousin and I did with a delightful mortadella tartine ($16), topped with wild arugula, pistachio crumbles, aged balsamic vinegar, cherries from Saeng’s Strawberry Stand in Granite Bay and the Italian cheese stracchino (also known as crescenza). —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 1 July 2024

Dry roasted and salted California pistachios are covered in dark chocolate for a sweet and salty bite. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 28 June 2024

The dishes are mostly simple and light and include raw bar offerings (oysters with citrus mignonette) as well as such items as tuna tartare with pistachio and green olive and mussel escabeche. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 27 June 2024

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

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