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cranberry

American  
[kran-ber-ee, -buh-ree] / ˈkrænˌbɛr i, -bə ri /

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 British  
/ -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

"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 cranberry

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

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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.

To attract increasingly discerning consumers, Kroger has offered a precooked holiday meal for eight of turkey or ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry and gravy for about $11 a person.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

She said festive items were required this year, such as Christmas cake, cranberry sauce, gravy, and chocolate coins for stockings, as well as essentials such as toilet roll, toothbrushes and deodorant.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

Observers typically indulge in a hearty meal with staples such as turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

I love putting cranberry sauce on my stuffing and potatoes for more flavor, but if you’re someone who wants to maintain the integrity of individual side dishes, try your hand at making a dinner roll.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2025

This chemical was misused by a number of cranberry growers in 1959, producing residues on some of the marketed berries.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson