currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce currant (audio)
ˈkə-rənt
1
: a small seedless raisin originally grown chiefly in the eastern Mediterranean
2
: the acid edible fruit of various shrubs (genus Ribes) placed in either the saxifrage or gooseberry family
also : a plant bearing currants

Examples of currant 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.
Dark raspberry, cherry-strawberry notes mingle with a hint of spice and currant. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 Some good candidates for a bird habitat include brambles, cotoneaster, currant, holly, pyracantha, viburnum, and yew. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025 Other foods that are toxic to cats, according to Preventive Vet, include milk and dairy; onions and garlic; alcohol; chocolate; grapes, raisins and currants; caffeine; raw meat; seafood; eggs; raw dough; avocado; and bones. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025 Add currants and stir well; return seared chicken (skin-side up) in single layer, pushing them down into the rice. Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for currant

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from earlier corawnce, currantes, ellipsis from Middle English reysouns of corans, borrowed from Anglo-French raisins de Curance "raisins of Corinth," from Corinth, Greece

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Currant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currant. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

currant

noun
cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce currant (audio)
ˈkə-rənt
1
: a small seedless raisin used in baking and cooking
2
: the acid edible fruit of several shrubs related to the gooseberries
also : a plant bearing currants
Etymology

from Middle English raison of Coraunte, literally, "raisin of Corinth," from Corinth, city in Greece from which it was exported

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