mesquite

noun

mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt How to pronounce mesquite (audio)
me-
: any of several spiny leguminous trees or shrubs (genus Prosopis and especially P. glandulosa) chiefly of the southwestern U.S. that often form extensive thickets and have sweet pods eaten by livestock
also : the wood of the mesquite used especially in grilling food

Illustration of mesquite

Illustration of mesquite
  • 1 flower and leaves
  • 2 pod

Examples of mesquite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Menu items will be prepared using live-fire techniques over mesquite and charcoal. — Sonia Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2026 Native trees like palo verde, ironwood and mesquite provide valuable shade from the sun’s harsh rays for plants growing below. — John Leos, AZCentral.com, 29 Mar. 2026 The meeting place looks much like any other expanse of road in the Sonoran desert, dusty taupe with various cacti and mesquite trees. — Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025 Gelineau said the idea for mesquite partly grew out of earlier internal conversations about agave spirits. — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mesquite

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Nahuatl mizquitl

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesquite was in 1759

Rhymes for mesquite

See All Rhymes for mesquite

Browse Nearby Words

mesquital
mesquite
Mesquite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mesquite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesquite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mesquite

noun
mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt How to pronounce mesquite (audio)
me-
: a thorny deep-rooted tree or shrub of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico that belongs to the legume family, produces pods rich in sugar, and is important as food for livestock
also : the wood of the mesquite used especially in grilling food

Geographical Definition

Mesquite

geographical name

Mes·​quite mə-ˈskēt How to pronounce Mesquite (audio)
me-
city in northeastern Texas east of Dallas population 139,824

More from Merriam-Webster on mesquite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mesquite

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