macadamia nut

noun

mac·​a·​da·​mia nut ˌma-kə-ˈdā-mē-ə- How to pronounce macadamia nut (audio)
: a hard-shelled nut of an Australian evergreen tree (genus Macadamia, especially M. integrifolia or M. tetraphylla) of the protea family that somewhat resembles the filbert and is cultivated extensively in Hawaii

called also macadamia

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin Macadamia, genus name, from John Macadam †1865 Scottish-born Australian chemist + New Latin -ia -ia entry 1

Note: The genus Macadamia was named by the German-born Australian botanist Ferdinand Mueller (1825-96; originally Müller, later von Mueller) in "Account of some New Australian Plants," "Read before the Institute, 5th August, 1857," Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria, from January to December, 1857, vol. 2 (1858), p. 72. Mueller noted that the naming was "dedicated to John Macadam, Esq., M.D., the talented and deserving Secretary of our Institute."

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of macadamia nut was in 1929

Rhymes for macadamia nut

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Browse Nearby Words

macadam
macadamia nut
macadamization
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Cite this Entry

“Macadamia nut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macadamia%20nut. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

macadamia nut

noun
mac·​a·​da·​mia nut ˌmak-ə-ˈdā-mē-ə- How to pronounce macadamia nut (audio)
: a hard-shelled nut of an Australian evergreen tree widely grown in Hawaii

called also macadamia

Etymology

John Macadam, died 1865, Australian chemist

More from Merriam-Webster on macadamia nut

Nglish: Translation of macadamia nut for Spanish Speakers

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