apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈa-prə-ˌkät  ˈā- 

often attributive

1

a

: the oval orange-colored fruit of a temperate-zone tree (Prunus armeniaca) resembling the related peach and plum in flavor

b

: a tree that bears apricots

2

: a variable color averaging a moderate orange

Examples of apricot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their efforts raised the temperature in the orchards by eight degrees, keeping it above freezing and saving most of the peaches, apricots, and cherries. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Plums and pluots are smaller, so they can be thinned to 4-6 inches apart, while still smaller apricots should be separated by 3-5 inches. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026

Try the pink for a punchy statement, or stick to the sleek black or soft apricot. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026

It’s also found in the pits of stone fruits like peaches, apricots, plums, and other members of the almond’s extended family, the genus Prunus. —Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier abrecock, ultimately from Arabic al-birqūq the apricot, ultimately from Latin (persicum) praecox, literally, early ripening (peach) — more at precocious

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for apricot

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot
• huguenot

Kids Definition

apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈap-rə-ˌkät  ˈā-prə- 

: an oval orange-colored fruit resembling the related peach and plum in flavor

also : a tree that bears apricots