bird cherry

[ burd-cher-ee ]

/ ˈbɜrd ˌtʃɛr i /

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noun

any of several species of cherry, especially Prunus padus(European bird cherry ), of Europe and Asia, and P. pensylvanica(pin cherry ), of the U.S.

the fruit of any such tree, for which birds have a particular liking.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bird cherry

First recorded in 1590–1600

Words nearby bird cherry

bird-brained, birdcage, birdcage clock, bird call, bird-catcher tree, bird cherry, bird colonel, bird dog, birder, bird farm, bird feed

How to use bird cherry in a sentence

Perhaps we shall find that our bird cherry (Prunus Pennsylvanica) is best suited for our use.
The Prairie Farmer, Vol. 56, No. 2, January 12, 1884|Various
The name is sometimes applied to a small bird cherry in Europe.
American Forest Trees|Henry H. Gibson
It profits by severe burning, as some other trees of the United States do, such as paper birch and bird cherry.
American Forest Trees|Henry H. Gibson
The mountain-ash and the bird-cherry were in bloom; the light, sticky leaves of the aspen were just out.
From a Swedish Homestead|Selma Lagerlf

Hagberry, hag′ber-i, n. the bird-cherry—sometimes Hack′berry.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for bird cherry

bird cherry

noun

a small Eurasian rosaceous tree, Prunus padus, with clusters of white flowers and small black fruitsSee also cherry (def. 1)

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