chokeberry

[ chohk-ber-ee, -buh-ree ]

noun

, plural choke·ber·ries.

1. the berrylike fruit of any North American shrub of the genus Aronia, of the rose family, especially A. arbutifolia red chokeberry, A. melanocarpa black chokeberry, or A. prunifolia purple chokeberry.
2. the plant that bears this fruit.

chokeberry

/ -brɪ; ˈtʃəʊkbərɪ /

noun

1. any of various North American rosaceous shrubs of the genus Aronia
2. the red or purple bitter fruit of any of these shrubs

Word History and Origins

Origin of chokeberry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80; choke + berry

Example Sentences

She afterwards discovered that the pink juice of chokeberry did very well for lips, cheeks, and gay dresses.

From Project Gutenberg

Chokeberry, buckthorn, elder berry, and mulberry will attract birds away from blackberry and raspberry patches.

From Project Gutenberg

There were thickets of aronia or chokeberry, whose flat white blossoms and reddish bark showed its kinship to the apple tree.

From Project Gutenberg