walnut

noun

wal·​nut ˈwȯl-(ˌ)nət 

1

a

: the furrowed nut of any of a genus (Juglans of the family Juglandaceae, the walnut family) of deciduous trees

especially : the large edible nut of an English walnut

b

: a tree that bears walnuts

c

: the wood of a walnut that is often used for cabinetmaking and veneers

2

: a moderate reddish brown

Examples of walnut in a Sentence

The banana bread has walnuts in it.

The recipe calls for a cup of chopped walnuts.

a table made of walnut

Recent Examples on the Web

There are also items that are unapologetically Michigan, like the beloved Maurice salad, a Michigan salad with fresh berries, blue cheese and walnuts and a Dinty Moore burger topped with corned beef and coleslaw. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025

The aromatic base of Macabeo grapes gets its color from unripe green walnuts, macerated with 150 botanicals before being aged in oak for six months. —Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

In a small bowl, combine walnuts, pecans, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cardamom and oats. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025

The six tree nut allergies most commonly reported by children and adults are allergies to walnut, almond, hazelnut, pecan, cashew and pistachio. —News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English walnot, from Old English wealhhnutu, literally, foreign nut, from Wealh Welshman, foreigner + hnutu nut — more at welsh, nut

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing walnut

• black walnut
• Circassian walnut
• English walnut
• white walnut

Rhymes for walnut

• abut
• catgut
• chesnut
• chestnut
• donut
• doughnut
• groundnut
• haircut
• hindgut
• midgut
• precut
• rebut

Kids Definition

walnut

noun

wal·​nut ˈwȯl-(ˌ)nət 

1

a

: an edible nut of any of a genus of trees related to the hickories

especially : the large nut of a Eurasian tree

b

: a tree that produces walnuts compare black walnut

c

: the usually reddish to dark brown wood of a walnut that is widely used for cabinetwork and veneers

2

: a medium reddish brown

Etymology

Old English wealhhnutu, literally "foreign nut," from Wealh "Welshman, foreigner" + hnutu "nut" — related to welsh

Word Origin

Long before walnut trees were introduced into England, they were cultivated for their tasty nuts in southern Europe. The nut tree native to the more northern areas of Europe was the hazel. In order to tell apart the native hazelnut and the less familiar walnut, Old English called the walnut wealhhnutu, which means "foreign nut." This word is a compound of wealh, "foreigner" and hnutu "nut." The Old English word wealh has supplied us with another word as well. While wealh meant "foreigner" in a general sense, it was applied specifically by the Anglo-Saxon invaders of Britain to the native people they found living on the island. Wealh gave rise to the modern forms Welsh, Welshman, and Welshwoman.

Geographical Definition

Walnut

geographical name

city east of Los Angeles in southwestern California population 29,172