almond

/ˈɑlmɪnd/

/ˈɑlmənd/

Other forms: almonds

An almond is an oval-shaped nut that grows inside a hard shell. Almonds grow on almond trees.

Almonds are native to Mediterranean climates, particularly South Asia and the Middle East, and have spread to parts of North Africa, Southern Europe, and California. Almond trees flower in the spring, before the nuts are ready to harvest. While wild almonds are poisonous, the nut of the domesticated, sweet almond is delicious. We know the word almond comes from the Greek amygdalos, or "almond tree," but its origin beyond that is uncertain.

Definitions of almond

1. noun

   small bushy deciduous tree native to Asia and North Africa having pretty pink blossoms and highly prized edible nuts enclosed in a hard green hull; cultivated in southern Australia and California
   synonyms: Amygdalus communis, Prunus amygdalus, Prunus dulcis, sweet almond

   types:

   jordan almond

   variety of large almond from Malaga, Spain; used in confectionery

   type of:

   almond tree

   any of several small bushy trees having pink or white blossoms and usually bearing nuts
2. noun

   oval-shaped edible seed of the almond tree
   types:

   Jordan almond

   an almond covered with a sugar coating that is hard and flavored and colored

   type of:

   edible nut

   a hard-shelled seed consisting of an edible kernel or meat enclosed in a woody or leathery shell

   drupe, stone fruit

   fleshy indehiscent fruit with a single seed: e.g. almond; peach; plum; cherry; elderberry; olive; jujube