hickory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral; sometimes technical in forestry/woodworking contexts.
Quick answer
What does “hickory” mean?
A type of North American tree of the walnut family, valued for its hard, heavy wood and edible nuts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of North American tree of the walnut family, valued for its hard, heavy wood and edible nuts.
The wood from this tree, used for tools, furniture, tool handles, and smoking food.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The tree is native to North America, so the word is more common in American English. In the UK, it is primarily known as a type of wood or in the context of smoked foods.
Connotations
In the US, it has strong rustic, traditional, and durable connotations (e.g., hickory walking stick, hickory-smoked ham). In the UK, the primary connotation is often linked to American-style barbecued or smoked foods.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English. In British English, it is a lower-frequency word, typically encountered in specific contexts like woodworking, cooking, or discussions of North American flora.
Grammar
How to Use “hickory” in a Sentence
[species] hickory (e.g., pignut hickory)hickory [product] (e.g., hickory flooring)hickory-[past participle] (e.g., hickory-smoked)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hickory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The salmon was hickory-smoked for twelve hours.
- They plan to hickory-cure the bacon.
American English
- We're going to hickory-smoke these pork shoulders all night.
- The facility hickory-cures its signature ham.
adverb
British English
- The chef prepared it hickory-style.
American English
- The meat was cooked hickory-smoked style.
adjective
British English
- He sanded the hickory worktop until it was smooth.
- The flavour was distinctly hickory.
American English
- She chose a hickory cabinet for the kitchen.
- That's a real hickory-handled hammer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the timber, furniture, or specialty food industries (e.g., 'We source sustainably harvested hickory for our flooring line.').
Academic
Found in botany, forestry, and materials science texts describing tree species or wood properties.
Everyday
Most common in discussions about wood, DIY, gardening, or food (e.g., 'I love ribs with a hickory barbecue sauce.').
Technical
Used in woodworking, archery (for bows), and culinary arts (for smoking).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hickory”
- Misspelling as 'hicory' or 'hickary'. Using it as a general term for any hardwood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Hickory is primarily a type of tree. Some species, like the pecan hickory, produce edible nuts called hickory nuts, but the word itself refers to the tree or its wood.
It is exceptionally hard, dense, and shock-resistant, making it ideal for tool handles, flooring, and drumsticks where durability is key.
Indirectly. 'Hickory' can describe a brownish-grey colour reminiscent of the wood, often in fashion or design (e.g., 'hickory-coloured shirt'), though it's not a primary colour term.
Pecans are the nuts of a specific species of hickory tree (Carya illinoinensis). So, a pecan tree is a type of hickory tree.
A type of North American tree of the walnut family, valued for its hard, heavy wood and edible nuts.
Hickory is usually neutral; sometimes technical in forestry/woodworking contexts. in register.
Hickory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪk(ə)ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪkəri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As tough as hickory”
- “Hickory dickory dock (nursery rhyme)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HICKORY sounds like 'HICK-ory'. Imagine a farmer (a 'hick') from the countryside chopping wood from a strong HICKORY tree on his property.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARDNESS/STRENGTH IS HICKORY (e.g., 'He has a hickory-tough resolve.').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'hickory' LEAST likely to be used?