Nut: meaning, definitions and examples

Generally refers to the whole, edible seed of certain plants, typically with a hard shell.

• I like to snack on a handful of nuts for a healthy treat.
• Squirrels often gather and bury nuts for the winter.

Is a more general term for a small, typically hard, plant part that can grow into a new plant. Seeds can come from fruits, vegetables, and flowers, as well as nuts.

• Seeds can be planted to grow new plants.
• Sunflower seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack.

Usually refers to the softer, usually edible part inside the shell of a nut, or the seed inside the fruit of plants like corn.

• The corn kernels were fresh and sweet.
• You need to remove the kernel from the shell before eating.

Specifically refers to the edible inner part of a nut, often used in culinary contexts.

• The nutmeat of a walnut is rich and flavorful.
• Recipes often call for nutmeat in baking.

Commonly used in general conversation or informal contexts to refer to a metal piece with a threaded hole, used with a bolt for fastening things together.

• I need a nut to fix this chair.
• Can you hand me that nut over there?

A more general term that can include nuts, bolts, screws, and other types of connectors. Used in formal or technical contexts.

• The carpenter used a variety of fasteners for the construction.
• We need the correct fasteners to assemble this furniture.

Less common term, but used to specify that the nut is used with a screw rather than a bolt. It can appear in technical manuals or specific instructions.

• This tool set includes a screw nut for various screws.
• Check if the screw nut fits this screw.

Specifically refers to the nut used in conjunction with a bolt, typically in technical or mechanical settings.

• Make sure the bolt nut is tightened properly.
• We need a matching bolt nut for this bolt.