barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

: any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family) of shrubs usually having spines, usually yellow flowers, and oblong red or blackish berries

Examples of barberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Remove barberry plants by digging, hand-pulling, or using a weed wrench. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 2025

Details on its makeup and benefits Berberine is a chemical compound derived from plants like tree turmeric, barberry, goldenseal, goldenthread – all of which have historically played an important role in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Nevin’s barberry grows 10 feet high and wide, blanketed with yellow flowers in the spring, followed by scads of bird-pleasing red fruit. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Nov. 2025

Berberine, a compound found in herbs like barberry and goldenseal, has gained popularity for its potential to support weight, blood sugar, and heart health naturally. —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English berberie, from Medieval Latin berberis, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for barberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

Kids Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

: any of a genus of spiny yellow-flowered shrubs with bright red or blackish berries

Medical Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry

British often & US sometimes

ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

plural barberries

1

: any shrub of the genus Berberis (especially B. aquifolium)

2

: berberis sense 2