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.
Eventually, that could expand to offerings for people seeking food — currently there is plenty of bar space to grab a vodka cranberry on the property, but nowhere to grab a bite to eat — and even dogs seeking entertainment options. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 View Recipe Kirkland Signature Cranberry-Walnut Round Bread Costco’s bakery section overfloweth, but for Thanksgiving, go straight for the cranberry-walnut loaf. — Jenn De La Vega, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Another shopper used it to take cranberry juice—a notoriously tricky one to remove—out of their sister’s wedding dress mid reception. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026 Consuming blueberries and cranberries, in particular, may significantly decrease fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels among people with diabetes. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 23 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 1 Nov. 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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