barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

: any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family) of shrubs usually having spines, usually yellow flowers, and oblong red or blackish berries

Examples of barberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nandina belongs to the barberry family but is reminiscent of bamboo in its lightly branched, canelike stems and delicate, fine texture foliage. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2024

Adding northern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla) to your landscape does not pose a threat like barberry and honeysuckle. —Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 14 June 2024

Answer: Both Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera) rapidly reproduce, creating dense stands of these invasive plants. —Melinda Myers, Journal Sentinel, 14 June 2024

The original list of dozens of species, including garden heliotrope, forget-me-not, Japanese barberry, Bell’s honeysuckle and multiflora rose, dates from 2002, Hiskes said. —Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English berberie, from Medieval Latin berberis, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

: any of a genus of spiny yellow-flowered shrubs with bright red or blackish berries

Medical Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry

ˈbär-ˌber-ē, British often & US sometimes -b(ə-)rē

plural barberries

1

: any shrub of the genus Berberis

2

a

: an evergreen shrub of the genus Mahonia (especially M. aquifolium)

b

: berberis sense 2