: a usually chocolate-frosted oblong pastry filled with whipped cream or custard
Examples of éclair in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Who can resist the bittersweet ganache and milky cream in a chocolate eclair?
—
Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Named the best bakery in France in 2016 by M6 TV channel and awarded the best baguette in Paris in 2024, the shop is best known for its breads, all made with natural sourdough, its sesame eclairs, and its variety of other seasonal sweets.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Bites include beef tartare, fries and savory cheese eclairs.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Young will be on the main stage Friday in the expo center demonstrating the technique behind eclairs, profiteroles, and other pate choux pastries.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
After decades of creating elegant wedding cakes, catering social and corporate gatherings, and turning out delicate eclairs and towering croquembouches, The French Gourmet is calling it quits after selling its Turquoise Street property to a Los Angeles developer.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown, depending on the size of the eclairs.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
Meet the 7-ingredient, no-bake chocolate eclair cake recipe of your dreams
Questions or comments?
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
While its famous for salted caramel brownies, macarons and eclairs, the cinnamon roll and pecan pull apart are deserving of attention.
—Jenny Matz, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2025
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Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
Named the best bakery in France in 2016 by M6 TV channel and awarded the best baguette in Paris in 2024, the shop is best known for its breads, all made with natural sourdough, its sesame eclairs, and its variety of other seasonal sweets.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
Bites include beef tartare, fries and savory cheese eclairs.
—Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
Young will be on the main stage Friday in the expo center demonstrating the technique behind eclairs, profiteroles, and other pate choux pastries.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026
After decades of creating elegant wedding cakes, catering social and corporate gatherings, and turning out delicate eclairs and towering croquembouches, The French Gourmet is calling it quits after selling its Turquoise Street property to a Los Angeles developer.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown, depending on the size of the eclairs.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
Meet the 7-ingredient, no-bake chocolate eclair cake recipe of your dreams
Questions or comments?
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
While its famous for salted caramel brownies, macarons and eclairs, the cinnamon roll and pecan pull apart are deserving of attention.
—Jenny Matz, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“éclair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9clair. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
éclair
noun
ā-ˈkla(ə)r 
i-
i-
-ˈkle(ə)r;
ˈā-ˌkla(ə)r,
-ˌkle(ə)r,
ˈē-
: an oblong pastry with whipped cream or custard filling
Etymology
French, literally, "lightning"
Word Origin
The English word éclair comes directly from a French word whose chief meaning is "lightning" or "flash of lightning." No one is sure why a pastry was named after lightning. Some say the lightness of the cream puff and its soft filling is the reason for the name. Perhaps more likely its richness and oblong shape, easily held in one hand, compel a person to eat it in a flash.
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