serviceberry

[ sur-vis-ber-ee ]

noun

, plural serv·ice·ber·ries.

1. the fruit of any service tree.
2. a North American shrub or small tree, Amelanchier canadensis, of the rose family, having serrate, oblong leaves, clusters of white flowers,and a berrylike fruit.
3. any of various other plants of the genus Amelanchier.

serviceberry

/ ˈsɜːvɪsˌbɛrɪ /

noun

1. Also calledshadbush any of various North American rosaceous trees or shrubs of the genus Amelanchier, esp A. canadensis, which has white flowers and edible purplish berries
2. the fruit of any of these plants
3. the fruit of the service tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of serviceberry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; service ² + berry

Example Sentences

Also, I must ask: What is a serviceberry?

From Salon

Native tribes prized serviceberry for its hard, straight-grained wood, which they used to construct hand tools, like digging sticks and fish rakes.

From Seattle Times

Standing in a patch of bitterroot, serviceberry and sage at the foot of Elk Mountain, Mr. Hettick called apps such as OnX “the best thing that’s happened to access in years.”

From New York Times

Now the rolling hills have been reclaimed by ponderosa pines, arrowleaf balsamroot, serviceberries and lupines.

From Seattle Times

Garlic mustard and chickweed at the start of spring, elderflower and nettle in the season; serviceberries, mulberries and mugwort in summer; and pawpaws, persimmons and crab apples in fall.

From Washington Post