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

The white port wine influence is prominent on the palate, with flavors of ripe fig, golden raisins, and berries complemented by sweet toffee, caramel, and hints of spice from the rye. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

And for a delicious, high-fiber take on breakfast, try a bowl of steel-cut oats (add berries for an additional boost; see below). —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, or until most (or all) of the berries have burst; the natural juice from the cranberries is what thickens the sauce. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

In addition to items on their signature menu such as the berry & cream churro and the macaron set, the grab-and-go menu is also introducing two new hot beverages, the Mocha Bow Bomb Latte and the Hot Chocolate Bow Bomb. —Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 31 Oct. 2024

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

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