saskatoon

¹ American  

[sas-kuh-toon] / ˌsæs kəˈtun /

noun

Canadian.

1. any of several shad bushes, especially the serviceberry, Amelanchier canadensis.

2. the berry of these bushes.

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Saskatoon ² American  

[sas-kuh-toon] / ˌsæs kəˈtun /

noun

1. a city in S Saskatchewan, in SW Canada.

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Saskatoon ¹ British  

/ ˌsæskəˈtuːn /

noun

1. a city in W Canada, in S Saskatchewan on the South Saskatchewan River: oil refining; university (1907). Pop: 196 816 (2001)

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saskatoon ² British  

/ ˌsæskəˈtuːn /

noun

1. a species of serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia, of W Canada: noted for its succulent purplish berries

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Etymology

Origin of saskatoon

1790–1800; < Cree misa·skwato·min saskatoon berry, derivative of misa·skwat saskatoon bush (literally, that which is solid wood), with -min berry

Example Sentences

The Fab Five feasted on plants gathered in season from the wild — skunk cabbage, saskatoon berries and dandelions — plus fish, moose and deer.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2021

After an interminable, jolting drive, windrows of saskatoon bushes and blueberries announced the beginning of the farm, then a potato field, then the first glimpse of a long log house surrounded by white trailers.

From New York Times • Jul. 31, 2020

Sandra Purdy, president of the Saskatoon Berry Council of Canada, the trade group representing the industry, is the de facto saskatoon berry queen of Canada.

From Time • Aug. 21, 2014

It depicts a Native American chief pointing to the town’s future location while an explorer to his side dubs it the saskatoon, named after the berry long-known by the indigenous population.

From Time • Aug. 21, 2014

But before Tommy could decide between an automobile and an Irish mail, the goldfinches had crossed the river and were fluttering over the purple branches of the leafless saskatoon bushes, which bordered the stream.

From The Second Chance by McClung, Nellie L.