cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-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
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The materials range from ordinary roses, tulips, moss and carnations to unexpected additions like acorn tops, yarrow, lotus seeds and cranberries. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025 Bright, deep garnet with purple tints; aromas of cranberry, red plum, myrtle and violet. Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 This Pinot Noir has aromas of wild strawberry, bramble, and black cherry with silky smooth tannins and flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, and red plum. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025 Monday April 7, Chicken Feta Salad with cranberries, walnuts, garbanzo beans, tomato and cucumber, tropical fruit, whole grain roll, milk. Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranberry

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranberry was in 1647

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranberry. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun
cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry
also : a plant producing these

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