juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər How to pronounce juniper (audio)
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
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.
In between, there are stretches of wide valleys filled with junipers, pinyon pines, and jackrabbits peeking out from the sagebrush. Tamara Gane, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2026 This could be a result of a snowplow that brushed the junipers while pushing snow over the course of the winter. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 Avoid planting creeping juniper in spots with too much shade, as this can make the plant thin and susceptible to diseases, says Harryson. Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 June 2026 The canyons are layered with color; evergreen junipers and chartreuse shrubs blanket the ground. Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for juniper

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Juniper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juniper. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

juniper

noun
ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər How to pronounce juniper (audio)
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 How to pronounce juniper (audio)
: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)
especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)

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