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chestnut

noun
chest·​nut | \ ˈches(t)-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce chestnut (audio) \

Definition of chestnut

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : any of a genus (Castanea) of trees or shrubs of the beech family especially : an American tree (C. dentata) that was formerly a dominant or codominant member of many deciduous forests of the eastern U.S. but has now been largely eliminated by the chestnut blight and seldom grows beyond the shrub or sapling stage
b : the edible nut of a chestnut
c : the wood of a chestnut
2 : a grayish to reddish brown
3 : horse chestnut
4 : a chestnut-colored animal specifically : a horse having a body color of any shade of pure or reddish brown with mane, tail, and points of the same or a lighter shade — compare bay entry 2 sense 1, sorrel entry 1 sense 1
5 : a callosity on the inner side of the leg of the horse — see horse illustration
6a : an old joke or story
b : something (such as a musical piece or a saying) repeated to the point of staleness

chestnut

adjective

Definition of chestnut (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of the color chestnut
2 : of, relating to, or resembling a chestnut
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about chestnut

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Examples of chestnut in a Sentence

Noun

 an op-ed piece that's offers nothing but warmed-over chestnuts for solving the city's financial woes

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 How about Metasequoias, chestnuts, Bing cherries, any manner of apple or pear or peach? — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Blackberries, shade gardening, snakes? Imagining a warmer climate for Alaska gardens," 17 July 2019 Then Lucrécia placed her hand on the trunk of the chestnut. — Benjamin Moser, Harper's magazine, "The Indirect World," 10 Apr. 2019 The treehouse is made from chestnut, with hazel, stag horn oak and larch nest cladding. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Kate Middleton’s Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show Pays Tribute to Princess Diana," 23 May 2019 There is much for her, and audiences, to soak in here: the hanging laundry, the wafts of roasting chestnuts, the rumbling Fiat 1100s, and the theatrical conversations. — Jason Horowitz, Vogue, "Meet the Adorable Italian Stars in HBO’s Elena Ferrante Adaptation, My Brilliant Friend," 14 Aug. 2018 Once invoked, the chestnuts get abruptly turned upside down. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Natural landscapes turned noxious in photography on view at Blum & Poe," 22 June 2019 The American chestnut isn’t the first plant to be snatched back from nature’s claws. — Hank Campbell, WSJ, "Science Saves an Old Chestnut," 19 June 2019 Breaking from the No. 7 post, Rosario guided the chestnut colt to the rail for an energy-saving trip. — Tom Canavan, Houston Chronicle, "Another Triple Crown surprise: Sir Winston takes Belmont Stakes," 8 June 2019 Earlier this fall, Ariana Grande rocked a blue-gray tone, which was a fierce departure from the chestnut brown fans are accustomed to seeing her in. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Showed Off Silver Hair and a White Manicure," 28 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chestnut.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of chestnut

Noun

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for chestnut

Noun

Middle English chasteine, chesten chestnut tree, from Anglo-French chastein, chestain, from Latin castanea, from Greek kastanea

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More Definitions for chestnut

chestnut

noun
How to pronounce chestnut (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of chestnut

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a type of tree that produces large, sweet nuts that can be eaten
: the nut of a chestnut tree
: the wood of a chestnut tree

chestnut

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of chestnut (Entry 2 of 2)

: of a reddish-brown color

See the full definition for chestnut in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chestnut

noun
chest·​nut | \ ˈches-ˌnət How to pronounce chestnut (audio) \

Kids Definition of chestnut

1 : a sweet edible nut that grows in burs on a tree related to the beech
2 : a reddish brown

chestnut

noun
chest·​nut | \ ˈches-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce chestnut (audio) \

Medical Definition of chestnut

1a : a tree or shrub of the genus Castanea (C. dentata) that is found in eastern North America and the leaf of which was formerly used to prepare an infusion for the treatment of whooping cough
b : the edible nut of a chestnut
2 : a callosity on the inner side of the leg of the horse

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