: the small tart fruit of a widely cultivated Asian plum tree (Prunus insititia)
also : this tree

Examples of damson 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.
Saba Parsa will drive a hundred miles for damson plums and drop everything to get the best Blenheim apricots. Becky Duffett, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Dec. 2023 Their take on the Manhattan is made with blended whiskey and, in place of sweet vermouth, black-walnut-and-damson-plum cordial. Samantha Melamed, Philly.com, 14 Mar. 2018 The floral and warm forest floor aromatics complemented the tangy red, blue and black fruits, among them damson plum, through which runs a vein of Herbs de Provence. Laura Ness, Mercury News, 5 July 2026 The findings are described in a study published February 7 in the journal Science Advances and can be applied to other fruits including slides, damsons, and juniper berries. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Feb. 2024 The drink, Alpine Hippie Juice ($13) was a delight — Averell damson gin, Pierre Ferrand Ambre cognac, Austria’s Zirbenz pine liqueur, lime and grapefruit. Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin (prunum) damascenum, literally, plum of Damascus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of damson was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Damson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damson. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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