cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē, 

-b(ə-)rē

1

: the red acid berry produced by some plants (such as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon) of the heath family

also : a plant producing these

2

: any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry

3

: a dark red

Examples of cranberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Go Your Own Way Don’t limit the toppings to just cranberries, pistachios, and coconut. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025

The seasonal cocktail menu includes such blends as the Sleigh Ride (vodka, bergamot, cranberry, lime, soda water, $18), Espresso-Ho Ho Martini (reposado tequila, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, espresso, $17) and Oy to the World (mezcal, tequila, lime, hot honey and apricot, $18). —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Dec. 2025

Berries Berries include fruits like blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries. —Joy Emeh, Health, 9 Dec. 2025

And one of León’s favorites is his pear and quinoa salad starter, served with walnuts, cranberries and lemon vinaigrette. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cranberry

• cranberry bush
• highbush cranberry
• mountain cranberry

Rhymes for cranberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry

also : a plant producing these