cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-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

The mains are: roast turkey served with seasonal sides plus stuffing, pigs in blankets, and cranberry sauce, or roast beef sirloin with a fluffy Yorkshire pudding while vegans will enjoy the sweet potato and mushroom tart. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The side dishes on offer will include macaroni and cheese, spinach, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls or a holiday dessert and a beverage. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Gravy from scratch, homemade cranberry sauce, apple cider, butternut squash, wax turnip and Jell-O with fruit cocktail come to mind. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024

But perhaps the best plotline involves Winston, who thinks Santa may be real and gets a cranberry stuck in his ear. —Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing cranberry

• cranberry bush
• highbush cranberry
• mountain cranberry

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry

also : a plant producing these