: a usually chocolate-frosted oblong pastry filled with whipped cream or custard
Examples of éclair in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
The pastry shop, which also features madeleines, eclairs and other desserts, is slated to open later this year.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Located just steps from Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine, Tablespoon Cooking Co. has classes available to sign up for online that cater to a variety of dishes, from tacos and margaritas to eclairs and cream puffs.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Get The Recipe 07 of 10 Eclair Cake Who can resist the bittersweet ganache and milky cream in a chocolate eclair?
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
They’re made from a French pâte à choux—the same batter used to make eclairs and cream puffs—which was likely introduced to Italy by French chefs who worked in the Italian royal kitchens.
—Cindy Salvato, Saveur, 19 Mar. 2025
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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
The pastry shop, which also features madeleines, eclairs and other desserts, is slated to open later this year.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Located just steps from Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine, Tablespoon Cooking Co. has classes available to sign up for online that cater to a variety of dishes, from tacos and margaritas to eclairs and cream puffs.
—Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Get The Recipe 07 of 10 Eclair Cake Who can resist the bittersweet ganache and milky cream in a chocolate eclair?
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025
They’re made from a French pâte à choux—the same batter used to make eclairs and cream puffs—which was likely introduced to Italy by French chefs who worked in the Italian royal kitchens.
—Cindy Salvato, Saveur, 19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“éclair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9clair. Accessed 6 Jan. 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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