cranberry

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

noun

plural

cranberries 

1. the red, acid fruit or berry of certain plants of the genus Vaccinium, of the heath family, as V. macrocarpon large cranberry, or American cranberry or V. oxycoccus small cranberry, or European cranberry, used in making sauce, relish, jelly, or juice.

2. the plant itself, growing wild in bogs or cultivated in acid soils, especially in the northeastern U.S.

cranberry

/ -brɪ, ˈkrænbərɪ /

noun

1. any of several trailing ericaceous shrubs of the genus Vaccinium, such as the European V. oxycoccus, that bear sour edible red berries

2. the berry of this plant, used to make sauce or jelly

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranberry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50; from Low German kraanbere; crane, berry

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranberry¹

C17: from Low German kraanbere, from kraan _crane + bere _berry

Example Sentences

She said she tries to keep healthy, and self-medicate with cranberry juice and vitamins, but often needs medication to get better.

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Late at night, after a long travel day, I’ll open the tub, eat a sliver or a cranberry date bar, and feel momentarily, impossibly, back in my mom’s kitchen.

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It is little more than whipped egg whites, but because this pie is not baked, you do make a “cooked” meringue to fold into your cranberry mixture.

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After finishing one drink — a concoction of orange juice, cranberry juice and something bitter, she said — at the celebration, the woman says she began to feel lightheaded and found an empty bedroom to rest.

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Tangy and sweet with the pleasing, piquant bite of reduced apple cider vinegar, it is a celebration of the cranberry and a world-class condiment on a turkey sandwich.

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