raisin

noun

rai·​sin ˈrā-zᵊn How to pronounce raisin (audio)
: a grape of any of several varieties that has been dried in the sun or by artificial heat

Examples of raisin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are big notes of sweet fruit, caramelized brown sugar, black pepper, rum raisin, and cinnamon leading things off over a faint wisp of smoldering campfire which lies just underneath. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 June 2025 Palate: Vanilla ice cream in whisky form with extra citrus, with some raisins thrown in. Felipe Schrieberg, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 At once tangy, crunchy, creamy, sweet and sour, the salad has evolved slightly to include walnuts (added in the 1920s), and later, raisins and grapes, and even marshmallows and eggs. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 On a recent episode of the 19th season of the British comedy panel show Taskmaster, contestants were placed in a room where a red lightbulb, a clock, a plate of raisins, and a few wooden tokens sat on a table in front of them. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for raisin

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, grape, raisin, from Latin racemus cluster of grapes or berries — more at raceme

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raisin was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raisin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raisin. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

raisin

noun
rai·​sin ˈrāz-ᵊn How to pronounce raisin (audio)
: a grape usually rich in sugar that has been dried

Geographical Definition

Raisin

geographical name

Rai·​sin ˈrā-zᵊn How to pronounce Raisin (audio)
river about 115 miles (185 kilometers) long in southeastern Michigan flowing into Lake Erie

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