chokecherry

American  

[chohk-cher-ee] / ˈtʃoʊkˌtʃɛr i /

noun

Chiefly Northern U.S.

plural

chokecherries

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

2. the fruit itself.

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chokecherry British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of chokecherry

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

Compare meaning

How does chokecherry compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chokecherry vs. chokeberry

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 • Jun. 11, 2023

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 • Oct. 7, 2021

Many look for nectar on dandelion, rabbitbrush, Canada thistle, osier dogwood and chokecherry.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 27, 2021

The sweet aroma of simmering wojape, the Lakota chokecherry dish, time-warps me back to my 6-year-old self.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2019

Along the edges of the forest, where there’s open sunlight, there are chokecherry trees.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood