coconut

noun

co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce coconut (audio)
1
: the drupaceous fruit of the coconut palm whose outer fibrous husk yields coir and whose nut contains thick edible meat and, in the fresh fruit, a clear liquid (see coconut water)
2
: the edible meat of the coconut

Examples of coconut in a Sentence

The pastry is covered with shredded coconut.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another dish to look out for is the seared tuna ($44), bathed in a delectable coconut and brown-butter sauce that’s paired with Jimmy Nardello peppers that look spicy but simply offer a fresh crunch. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026 The Tropical Coco Fresca is a layered pineapple-watermelon agua fresca with chamoy lava Tajin® rim, paired with a scoop of icy coconut snow that melts into a creamy tropical explosion of flavors, sure to keep you cool in the Texas heat! — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026 While most of the facial products are unscented, the body wash, bar soaps, and moisturizers feature luxury-level fragrance formulas, including coconut, vanilla, sandalwood, and cedar. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 5 Aug. 2026 The characters lived in huts, survived on coconut cream pie and fish, and somehow got excellent reception on their transistor radio. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coconut

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of coconut was in 1599

Phrases Containing coconut

Rhymes for coconut

See All Rhymes for coconut

Browse Nearby Words

Coconuco
coconut
coconut brown
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coconut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coconut. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

coconut

noun
co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce coconut (audio)
: the large egg-shaped husk-covered fruit of the coconut palm

Medical Definition

coconut

noun
co·​co·​nut ˈkō-kə-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce coconut (audio)
1
: the fruit of the coconut palm having an outer fibrous husk with a nut containing thick edible meat and coconut milk
2
: the edible meat of the coconut

More from Merriam-Webster on coconut

Nglish: Translation of coconut for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coconut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All