berry

1 of 2

noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

ˈbe-rē

plural berries

1

a

: a pulpy and usually edible fruit (such as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small size irrespective of its structure

b

: a simple fruit (such as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) with a pulpy or fleshy pericarp

c

: the dry seed of some plants (such as wheat)

2

: an egg of a fish or lobster

berry

2 of 2

verb

berried; berrying

intransitive verb

1

: to bear or produce berries

a berrying shrub

2

: to gather or seek berries

Examples of berry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Plenty of moisture is necessary for producing the biggest and tastiest berries, and figuring out how often to water strawberry plants is key to the best harvests. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

Its deep berry color adds a sweet, fruity flavor to any cocktail. —Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Some beans even have more inflammation-reducing and cancer-fighting antioxidants than berries, Elnakib said. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

Using a potato masher or wooden spoon, smash berries and release their juices, and bring to a boil. —Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English berye, from Old English berie; akin to Old High German beri berry

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing berry

• acai berry
• buffalo berry
• Christmas berry
• goji berry
• wheat berry

Rhymes for berry

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• ferry

Kids Definition

berry

1 of 2 noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

plural berries

1

: a small pulpy and usually edible fruit (as a strawberry or raspberry)

2

: a fruit (as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) that develops from a single ovary and has the wall of the ripened ovary pulpy

3

: the dry seed of some plants (as coffee)

berrylike

-ē-ˌlīk

adjective

berry

2 of 2 verb

berried; berrying

1

: to bear or produce berries

2

: to gather or look for berries

go berrying

Geographical Definition

Berry

geographical name

Ber·​ry be-ˈrē 

former province of central France; capital Bourges