cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-ˌbe-rē, 
-b(ə-)rē
1
: the red acid berry produced by some plants (such as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon) of the heath family
also : a plant producing these
2
: any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry
3
: a dark red

Examples of cranberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The deal includes a 16-pound turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, dinner rolls, peas, carrots, celery, whipping cream and pumpkin pie ingredients. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026 My personal favorite was the delicious cranberry and orange nut loaf. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026 My mom started making cranberry sauce after tasting a homemade version at a friend’s house. — Priya Krishna, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 While there is some semblance of natural resource extraction, such as timber, seafood catches and cranberries, for the most part, the coastal town of about 1,400 people has had to pivot to invigorate the economy. — Saige Miller, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cranberry

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranberry was in 1647

Phrases Containing cranberry

Rhymes for cranberry

See All Rhymes for cranberry

Browse Nearby Words

cranage
cranberry
cranberry bean
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranberry. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cranberry

noun
cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē How to pronounce cranberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry
also : a plant producing these

More from Merriam-Webster on cranberry

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cranberry

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