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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.


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)

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of juniper

1350–1400; Middle English junipere < Latin jūniperus

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.

See Examples For:

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

When Varlin Higbee eyes the scrubby forest of pinyon pines and juniper trees that fill the high desert outside this old Union Pacific Railroad town, there’s just one thought that crosses his mind:

From Los Angeles Times Feb. 11, 2024

The slope of the hill rose gradually into the hills of juniper and mesquite and cedar clumps.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Replace flammable plants such as junipers with succulents.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 12, 2025

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

There were no environmental reviews or public hearings before work crews began widening roads and tearing down oaks and junipers.

From New York Times Dec. 19, 2022

And then in front of her, at the precise place where the junipers were still compressed from dragging Runt in, a dark brindle coyote emerged, his head to the ground.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

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