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Definition of bitternut hickory
bitternut hickory
Plural:bitternut hickories
• noun
1
North American A large North American deciduous tree of the walnut family, characterized by its distinctive sulfur-yellow winter buds, pinnate leaves, and extremely bitter nuts.
Example
"The bitternut hickory is one of the most abundant and widely distributed hickories in North America, often found growing in moist bottomlands."
2
North American The dense, hard, and shock-resistant wood of the bitternut hickory tree, commonly utilized in manufacturing and cooking.
Example
"Many professional pitmasters prefer using bitternut hickory to impart a rich, smoky flavor to their barbecue meats."
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bitternut hickory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bitternut%20hickory