chokecherry

[ chohk-cher-ee ]

noun

, Chiefly Northern U.S.

, plural choke·cher·ries.

1. any of several cherries, especially Prunus virginiana, of North America, that bear an astringent fruit.
2. the fruit itself.

chokecherry

/ ˈtʃəʊkˌtʃɛrɪ /

noun

1. any of several North American species of cherry, esp Prunus virginiana, having very astringent dark red or black fruit
2. the fruit of any of these trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of chokecherry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; choke + cherry

Example Sentences

But it’s important to try, he said, ticking off the reasons: Without restoration and resilience work, this piece of forest will likely convert to shrubland dominated by manzanita, whitethorn and chokecherry.

From Los Angeles Times

I walked my bike to the shade of a chokecherry tree and watched my dog.

From Literature

Everybody has a story to tell about the dangers of eating too many chokecherries.

From Literature

It was just the thing atop a slice of my chokecherry pie, even if I do say so myself.

From Literature

But with a group of our size, bears could hear us from miles away, and there was no chance of surprising a grizzly in the midst of a chokecherry feast.

From Washington Post