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

Beauty benefits aside, the granola is particularly cluster-y and quite delicious, with a vanilla-forward flavor profile and bits of pistachio in every bite. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026

If you’re not drawn to crops, try reinventing a classic leather bomber jacket in a trending spring color like lavender, pistachio green, or even a splashy teal. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 27 Feb. 2026

Sitting on the terrace, the Bellagio fountains’ 40-story-high jets make a splashy backdrop to a meal of yellowtail hamachi in a chili and sesame oil reduction ($44) and seafoam-green pistachio and ricotta chiffon cake ($20). —Roger Kisby, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Pastries like passion-fruit malasadas and chocolate-babka pistachio swirls benefit from her sourdough starter, still alive and bubbling after a decade-plus of traveling. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 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