juniper

American  

[joo-nuh-per] / ˈdʒu nə pər /

noun

junipers plural

1. any evergreen, coniferous shrub or tree of the genus Juniperus, especially J. communis, having cones that resemble dark-blue or blackish berries used in flavoring gin and in medicine as a diuretic.

2. a tree mentioned in the Old Testament, said to be the retem.

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juniper British  

/ ˈdʒuːnɪpə /

noun

1. any coniferous shrub or small tree of the genus Juniperus, of the N hemisphere, having purple berry-like cones. The cones of J. communis ( common or dwarf juniper ) are used as a flavouring in making gin See also red cedar

2. any of various similar trees, grown mainly as ornamentals

3. Old Testament one of the trees used in the building of Solomon's temple (I Kings 6:15, 34) and for shipbuilding (Ezekiel 27:5)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• junipers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of juniper

1350–1400; Middle English junipere < Latin jūniperus

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

juniper junipers

And Pernod Ricard launched a non-alcoholic version of gin, along with Cinzano Spritz 0% and Ceder’s, a gin-like non-alcoholic beverage with botanical notes of juniper, rooibos and buchu.

From Salon ● Jan. 18, 2025

When rarer trees are found, like wild service, black poplar and juniper, seed is taken for growing in polytunnels and outdoors at the nursery until they are ready to be planted.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2024

Eventually, he settled on the eight most frequently mentioned: desert dates, Yemeni Sidr honey, sycamore figs, Israeli golden raisins, prickly juniper berries, carob fruit, black cumin and frankincense.

From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2024

Since 2005, more than 200,000 acres have burned in and around the Mojave National Preserve; fires have destroyed lush pinyon pine and juniper woodlands, desert tortoise habitat and ancient petroglyphs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2024

I heard a fountain gurgling, and smelled juniper and cedar and a bunch of other sweet-scented plants.

From "The Battle of the Labyrinth" by Rick Riordan

Rocky Mountain junipers — known locally as swamp cedars for the springs they rely on to survive hot summers — are usually found thousands of feet higher on mountains.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 24, 2024

According to the study, this drying occurred between 16,000 and 13,000 years ago, followed by the destruction of forests and the replacement of trees like oaks and junipers with more fire-resistant plants like pines.

From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2023

He said the pie's flavours had been inspired by the deer who live in the local countryside and their habitats and includes venison, redcurrants, mushrooms, junipers - and dark chocolate.

From BBC ● Mar. 9, 2023

It evolved millions of years ago when the region was cooler, wetter and dominated by lakes and marshes edged with Joshua trees and junipers, scientists say.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2022

He watched them disappear into the junipers of the wide canyon to the west, and then he switched his stubby tail around his haunches a few times, and trotted after them.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko