juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs

called also juniper berry

2

: any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

Examples of juniper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pastoral backcountry is an alloy of dust and juniper welded into a knobby expanse. —Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

This recipe from Austin bar owner Chris Marshall uses juniper syrup, a cranberry sparkling beverage, and zero-alcohol gin. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

Two historically dry winters, in 2020 and 2021, had resulted in a die-off of long-living plant species like Joshua trees and junipers, said Jim Andre, conservation botanist and director of the University of California’s Granite Mountains Desert Research Center. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024

The cocktail bar focuses on gin drinks and has a food menu of snacks, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and a few entrees like duck confit and juniper and pork chop with sauerkraut. —Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2024

The graphical marks could impart even the physical origin of the juniper berries used in a gin, offering a level of accuracy beyond traditional sensory analysis. —Eve Thomas, WIRED, 3 Apr. 2024

Its bright, citrusy notes of orange blossom and juniper berries creates an uplifting aroma. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 13 Mar. 2024

Since 2005, more than 200,000 acres have burned in and around the Mojave National Preserve; fires have destroyed lush pinyon pine and juniper woodlands, desert tortoise habitat and ancient petroglyphs. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024

The classic juniper character of Hendrick’s Gin is naturally enhanced by the soft sweetness and delightful fruitiness of stone fruit, rounded out by aromatic herbs which accentuate the freshness of Hendrick’s signature cucumber notes. —Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing juniper

• juniper tar

Kids Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous evergreen shrubs and trees that are related to the pines but produce female cones resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

2

: any of various evergreen trees resembling true junipers

Medical Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)

especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)