serviceberry

noun

ser·​vice·​ber·​ry ˈsər-vəs-ˌber-ē 

 also  ˈsär-

1

: the edible purple or red fruit of any of various North American trees or shrubs (genus Amelanchier) of the rose family

2

: a tree or shrub that produces serviceberries and has showy white flowers in the spring

called also Juneberry, shadblow, shadbush

Examples of serviceberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other native tree alternatives include tulip trees and serviceberries. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 18 Mar. 2024

Drawing from both Indigenous knowledge and ecological science, Robin Wall Kimmerer, known for her masterwork Braiding Sweetgrass, demonstrates how serviceberries support biodiversity while having historically provided sustenance to Native American communities. —Anna Broughel, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

The serviceberry, also known as a juneberry, is a native berry that grows out in the wild. —Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024

Go for a dwarf or semi-dwarf plant, like an elegant mountain stewartia or a serviceberry, for a pop of color. —Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

service entry 4 + berry entry 1

Note: Note that the name serviceberry refers to a North American plant (Amelanchier) of a different genus than the plant denoted by service in Europe (genus Sorbus).

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

serviceberry

noun

ser·​vice·​ber·​ry ˈsər-vəs-ˌber-ē 

 also  ˈsär-

1

: any of various North American trees or shrubs related to the roses that are sometimes grown for their showy white flowers and edible purplish to red fruit

called also Juneberry, shadbush

2

: the fruit of a serviceberry