currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

: a small seedless raisin originally grown chiefly in the eastern Mediterranean

2

: the acid edible fruit of various shrubs (genus Ribes) placed in either the saxifrage or gooseberry family

also : a plant bearing currants

Examples of currant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aromas of morel cherry, currant, red plum, a hint of molasses and Oriental spice. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Down in the basement, tidy racks held more than 15,000 glass jars: marmalades, pâté made from the meat of black Alpine pigs, and many vinegars—some flavored with white currants, others with spruce shoots or lavender. —Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025

Step 3 Transfer the chicken, apricots, and currants to a large platter. —Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins With Sarah Leah Chase, Saveur, 2 Apr. 2025

The Jasmine Collection Jasmine’s collection is full of sparkling jasmine flower notes, jeweled currants, and soft woods. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from earlier corawnce, currantes, ellipsis from Middle English reysouns of corans, borrowed from Anglo-French raisins de Curance "raisins of Corinth," from Corinth, Greece

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing currant

• black currant
• red currant

Kids Definition

currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

: a small seedless raisin used in baking and cooking

2

: the acid edible fruit of several shrubs related to the gooseberries

also : a plant bearing currants

Etymology

from Middle English raison of Coraunte, literally, "raisin of Corinth," from Corinth, city in Greece from which it was exported