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

The pistachio-mania doesn’t stop there with Starbucks’ new Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha and Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Tuck into the popular lamb lollipops with pistachio-mint pesto, the Alfredo Mafaldine or pan-roasted sea scallops. —Kathryn Streeter, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026

The pistachio is from over there. —Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

The pistachio flavor became an ice cream sensation in the 1940s, with desserts like green fluff and Watergate salad following suit in the 1970s. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026

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