juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs

called also juniper berry

2

: any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

Examples of juniper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The added hero ingredient is sensual oud wood, breathing new life into the signature notes of ginger, juniper and bergamot. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

The embalming materials used were costly: juniper and frankincense, likely imported from East Africa or Southern Arabia. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Aug. 2024

The juniper would have been imported from the Eastern Mediterranean, and the frankincense from East Africa or Southern Arabia. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024

The Dirty Martini Salad draws on the classic cocktail and features bibb lettuce, martini olives, juniper, pimento, Roquefort, lemon and chive. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing juniper

• juniper tar

Kids Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous evergreen shrubs and trees that are related to the pines but produce female cones resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

2

: any of various evergreen trees resembling true junipers

Medical Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)

especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)