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

Bursting aromas of country lane brambles and young spring fruit—as well as a honeycombed crunchy chocolate bar, cranberries, bitter red cherries and plums. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Proponents say the berries are richer in antioxidants than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry or blueberries. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025

Best Dried Fruit: Mariani Berries ’n Cherries A premium mix of wild blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, and cherries livens up any recipe that calls for dried fruit. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025

Her 2022 Morgon Grand Cras is ruby red with aromas of bright black cherry, red raspberry, and brown baking spices with silky tannins and flavors of cranberry, cherry, and red plum. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for cranberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

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