pistachio

noun

pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈsta-sh(ē-ˌ)ō How to pronounce pistachio (audio) -ˈstä- How to pronounce pistachio (audio)
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
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.
The menu seems to change, but for now, there’s a Hellraiser for a person who’s a bit of a heat-seeker with bacon, blue cheese, mozzarella and jalapeno-pistachio jam. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Original Rainbow Cone Rainbow Cone is known for its five-layer ice cream cones — with chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (New York vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 The brand describes Rare Beginnings as a fruity floral scent blending pear nectar, pistachio, gardenia, jasmine and warm vanilla bean. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 At Mother Pizzeria in Newport, Rhode Island, a Panouzzo sandwich with stracciatella, pistachio and pesto in warm sourdough bread. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pistachio

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pistachio was in 1598

Rhymes for pistachio

See All Rhymes for pistachio

Browse Nearby Words

pistache
pistachio
pistachio nut
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pistachio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pistachio. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pistachio

noun
pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈstash-(ē-ˌ)ō How to pronounce pistachio (audio) -ˈstäsh- How to pronounce pistachio (audio)
plural pistachios
: a small Asian tree that is related to the sumacs and has a fruit containing a greenish edible seed
also : its seed

More from Merriam-Webster on pistachio

Nglish: Translation of pistachio for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pistachio

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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