greenbrier

American

[green-brahy-er] / ˈgrinˌbraɪ ər /

noun

catbrier.

greenbrier British

/ ˈɡriːnˌbraɪə /

noun

Also called: cat brier. any of several prickly climbing plants of the liliaceous genus Smilax, esp S. rotundifolia of the eastern US, which has small green flowers and blackish berries

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of greenbrier

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; green + brier ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the Greenbrier, a parking spot reads, “Reserved for Jim Justice: U.S. Senator/Babydog’s Dad.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Known as “America’s Resort,” the Greenbrier is now caught between dueling lawsuits and barbs traded by a wealthy U.S. senator and the deep-pocketed owners of more than 50 luxury hotels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The Greenbrier Sporting Club counts some 400 members.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

Steve Ruby, an attorney for the Justices, said allegations in the Rowlings’ lawsuit are baseless and designed to justify an illegal effort to take control of the Greenbrier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

At the Greenbrier, in West Virginia, the bomb shelter for Congress was stocked with food for sixty days.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023