apricot

noun

apri·​cot ˈa-prə-ˌkät How to pronounce apricot (audio) ˈā- How to pronounce apricot (audio)
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 This is not to say that apricots, plums, nectarines, figs and apples won’t produce. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024 Add the tomatoes, 2 cups chicken stock, apricots, cinnamon stick, harissa paste, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 The rose-like blooms can be found in yellows, apricots, oranges, pinks, reds, and whites. Katelyn Chef, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 Herman Abdullah, whose family has farmed nutmeg for generations, hiked up the hill above the village one recent day to harvest the fruit, similar in size to a large apricot. Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 In Kadıköy market, their money already mingled, someone fished for coins and handed a small few to the grocer; the other inspected the apricots and kept the one less beautiful. Ama Codjoe, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2024 Cool to room temperature before eating. VARIATIONS: To make Any Stone Fruit Muffins, substitute pitted and chopped fresh plums, peaches, apricots and/or cherries for the nectarines. Julia Turshen, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 With cuttings from Paul Masson, the Saratoga winemaker behind La Cresta and later the Mountain Winery, George started growing grapes at Garrod Farms, which had shifted from growing prunes, apricots and hay to offering stables for boarding and riding horses and horse vaulting. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024 Dinner might begin with a collage of peaches, nectarines, apricots, pluots and cherries, each at their sunniest prime, in a cooling pool of dashi. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apricot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of apricot was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near apricot

Cite this Entry

“Apricot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apricot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apricot

noun
: an oval orange-colored fruit resembling the related peach and plum in flavor
also : a tree that bears apricots

More from Merriam-Webster on apricot

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