cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-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
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.
Aromas of fresh raspberry, cranberry, and floral notes. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Keeping a bag of frozen cranberries in the freezer for yogurt or salads is a quick and easy way to add extra hydration to a meal. Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 29 June 2025 The wine is a pale ruby, featuring notes of cranberry, rose petal, and baking spice on the nose. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 With the latter, one highlight is the Clarified Cosmopolitan, a classic cocktail with Grey Goose Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, and lime, which is then purified with milk for 24 hours, doubled filtered and served in a martini glass rinsed with Strega liqueur and finished with a long lemon twist. Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranberry

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranberry was in 1647

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranberry. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun
cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry
also : a plant producing these

More from Merriam-Webster on cranberry

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