rowan

[roh-uhn, rou-]

noun

1. the European mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, having pinnate leaves and clusters of bright red berries.

2. either of two American mountain ashes, Sorbus americana or S. sambucifolia.

3. the berry of any of these trees.

rowan

/ ˈraʊ-, ˈrəʊən /

noun

1. another name for the (European) mountain ash

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowan¹

1795–1805; < Old Norse *raun- in reynir, Norwegian raun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowan¹

C16: from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian rogn, raun , Old Norse reynir

Example Sentences

He said the birds were usually seen in town centres and supermarket car parks where they could find their favourite berries - from rowan trees.

Read more on BBC

For the study, the team spent almost two weeks collecting air samples from ten of the 11x11 metre plots, which grow four tree species -- rowan, wild cherry, common ash and sycamore -- in different combinations.

Read more on Science Daily

Back at Lowfield Primary School, a handful of children gather around their new rowan, growing out of a hole cut in the artificial grass.

Read more on BBC

The moose mostly ate birch, rowan and willow trees.

Read more on Washington Post

Many parts of the UK have seen an abundance of seeds and nuts such as acorns, beech masts, rowan berries and elderberries including the east of England, North and Northern Ireland.

Read more on BBC