spicebush

noun

spice·​bush ˈspīs-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce spicebush (audio)
: an aromatic shrub (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family found chiefly in the eastern U.S. that bears dense clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers followed by usually scarlet berries

Examples of spicebush 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.
In addition to being food for birds, perhaps the berries of the spicebush are food for thought. — Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 12 July 2022 On the right, a wood thrush is perched on the branch of a spicebush while a spicebush swallowtail flies overhead. — Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 July 2024 The spicebush is a native species that produces four different kinds of seasonings whether its flowers, twigs, berries or leaves. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025 The former supports the spicebush swallow, a native Ohio butterfly. — Sarah Everett, The Spruce, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for spicebush

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spicebush was in 1770

Rhymes for spicebush

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Browse Nearby Words

spice brown
spicebush
spicebush swallowtail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

spicebush

noun
spice·​bush ˈspīs-ˌbu̇sh How to pronounce spicebush (audio)
: a fragrant shrub of the eastern U.S. and Canada that is related to the laurels and has clusters of small greenish yellow flowers and usually red berries

More from Merriam-Webster on spicebush

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spicebush

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