1. The fruit of the coconut palm, consisting of a fibrous husk surrounding a large seed.
2. The large, brown, hard-shelled seed of the coconut, containing white flesh surrounding a partially fluid-filled central cavity.
3. The edible white flesh of the coconut, often shredded and used in food and confections or for the extraction of coconut oil.
4. A coconut palm.

[Portuguese côco, grinning skull, goblin, coconut (probably from Late Latin coccum, shell; see cocoon) + NUT.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.