raisin

American  

[rey-zin] / ˈreɪ zɪn /

noun

1. a grape of any of various sweet varieties dried in the sun or by artificial means, often used in cooking.

2. dark purplish blue.

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raisin British  

/ ˈreɪzən /

noun

1. a dried grape

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Other Word Forms

• raisiny adjective

Etymology

Origin of raisin

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English raisin, reisin, from Old French, from unattested Vulgar Latin racīmus, for Latin racēmus; raceme

Explanation

A raisin is a dehydrated or sun-dried grape. Raisins are sweet and chewy, and they're often found in oatmeal cookies and granola. Raisins are one of the most common kind of dried fruit — they turn up everywhere from a preschooler's snack box to a fancy bakery's scones and cinnamon rolls. The most common way to make a raisin is to dry grapes in the sun, though it's quicker for producers to use dehydrating machines. The word raisin dates to the thirteenth century, from the Latin racemus, which means "cluster of grapes or berries."

Example Sentences

Jacobsen, an almond and raisin grape grower, tracked his chill hours carefully all winter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

For example, the Supreme Court has held that a federal regulation requiring a raisin farmer to destroy a portion of his crop is a per se taking.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

There I was, standing in front of a counter full of various flavors — caramel, cheese cake, carrot cake, rum & raisin.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2026

My only thought is the raisin and its taste and texture.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

I think Paddy likes me because of the raisin and I feel a bit guilty because I wasn’t that generous in the first place.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt