cranberry

[ kran-ber-ee, -buh-ree ]

noun

, plural cran·ber·ries.

1. the red, acid fruit or berry of certain plants of the genus Vaccinium, of the heath family, as V. macrocarpon large cranberry, or American cranberry or V. oxycoccus small cranberry, or European cranberry, used in making sauce, relish, jelly, or juice.
2. the plant itself, growing wild in bogs or cultivated in acid soils, especially in the northeastern U.S.

cranberry

/ -brɪ; ˈkrænbərɪ /

noun

1. any of several trailing ericaceous shrubs of the genus Vaccinium, such as the European V. oxycoccus, that bear sour edible red berries
2. the berry of this plant, used to make sauce or jelly

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranberry¹

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50; from Low German kraanbere; crane, berry

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranberry¹

C17: from Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

Example Sentences

After finishing one drink — a concoction of orange juice, cranberry juice and something bitter — she says she began to feel lightheaded and found an empty bedroom to rest.

From Los Angeles Times

When he first opened, he dutifully stocked his back bar with ingredients for de rigueur cocktails: cranberry juice for Cosmopolitans and a $100 jar of fancy olives for Dirty Martinis.

From Salon

For instance, fresh cranberries only appear in stores the last few months of the year, but dried berries and juice are always in stock.

From Salon

I loved how Savannah used cranberries in so many different iterations in her dish, as well as Danny's aforementioned juiced cranberry component.

From Salon

Candy brand Brach’s ran into that issue with its Turkey Dinner Candy Corn, a 2021 limited-edition version of the fall staple that tasted like turkey, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, apple pie and coffee.

From Seattle Times