spicebush

noun

spice·​bush ˈspīs-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce spicebush (audio)
: an aromatic shrub (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family found chiefly in the eastern U.S. that bears dense clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers followed by usually scarlet berries

Examples of spicebush in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
On the right, a wood thrush is perched on the branch of a spicebush while a spicebush swallowtail flies overhead. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2024 Pagano’s research has shown that native berries such as dogwoods, spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and viburnums naturally provide the high fat and calorie content that birds need. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 Wisconsin is home to seven types: black, Canadian tiger, Eastern tiger, giant; and strays from the South that are uncommon but appear in Wisconsin: pipevine, spicebush and zebra. Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023 In addition to being food for birds, perhaps the berries of the spicebush are food for thought. Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 12 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for spicebush 

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spicebush was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near spicebush

Cite this Entry

“Spicebush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spicebush. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spicebush

noun
spice·​bush ˈspīs-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce spicebush (audio)
: a fragrant shrub of the eastern U.S. and Canada that is related to the laurels and has clusters of small greenish yellow flowers and usually red berries

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