1. An olive-shaped, edible nut with a smooth, thin shell, related to the walnut family, which grows in the central and southern parts of the United States: "The wood of the pecan is hard; the bark is furrowed with deep cuts, and the leaves have the shapes of feathers."

"While on their trip around the southern states, June and her husband found out that one of the biggest industries was the production of pecans."

"The typical sweet foods that included pecans were the pies and pralines, which they loved to eat in cafés after their walking tours."

2. The edible nut of this tree, being extremely rich with a very high-fat content, has a special flavor and texture: "Jeanette's favorite dessert was pie made from pecans, which she learned later had almost as many calories as butter!"
3. Etymology: from Cree, pekan, "hard-shelled nut".