juniper

American  

[joo-nuh-per] / ˈdʒu nə pər /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of juniper

1350–1400; Middle English junipere < Latin jūniperus

Example Sentences

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

This area used to be covered by a thick juniper forest, but these could have been cut to facilitate iron production.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 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

In parts of California and much of the Great Basin, land owners have declared war on pinyon pines and juniper trees, clearing them from rangelands with chains, bulldozers, saws and herbicides.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2024

He walked into the evening air, which was cool and smelled like juniper smoke from the old man’s fire.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko