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

Medjool dates are impishly filled with foie gras and topped with pistachio. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Sadly for Tom, one of the two sponges in his cake tastes more like swamp water than pistachio, knocking him out of the running for his fourth Star Baker. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Try almonds or walnuts for a snack, add chia or flaxseeds to oatmeal or yogurt, or sprinkle pistachios on a salad. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 4 Nov. 2026

The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are great for the heart, and these pair nicely with apples, bananas, berries, and figs. — Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 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