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

An equity firm eventually took the bait and Purdy’s company, Prairie Berries, has grown into one of the largest saskatoon berry producers in Canada.

From Time • Aug. 21, 2014

And now some Canadians who have long cultivated the tiny super-food are crying foul over a quiet U.S.-led push to re-brand it: from saskatoon to juneberry.

From Time • Aug. 21, 2014

On again through the still air, and between the winding avenues of birch, poplar and saskatoon bushes.

From The Rising of the Red Man A Romance of the Louis Riel Rebellion by Mackie, John