bilberry

noun

bil·​ber·​ry ˈbil-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

plural bilberries

1

: a low-growing, erect, Eurasian shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus) having blue or bluish-black fruits that resemble blueberries but are borne singly rather than in clusters

2

: the sweet, edible fruit of the bilberry used especially in pies and jams

also : the dried fruit or an extract of this fruit used as an herbal remedy

Note: Both the plant and its fruit are also called whortleberry and (chiefly Scottish) blaeberry.

3

: any of several related plants or their fruit see also alpine bilberry, bog bilberry, dwarf bilberry

Examples of bilberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is believed to be due to anthocyanins in bilberry, which help enhance rhodopsin regeneration, an eye pigment responsible for night vision. —Discover Magazine, 30 June 2023

Each single-use pad contains 10% glycolic acid, as well as salicylic acid, vitamin K, bilberry and chamomile. —Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2020

The last ingredient is an anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract, which Elysium suggests will provide additional complementary cognitive benefits. —Good Housekeeping Editors, Good Housekeeping, 15 June 2020

In October the colors of the tundra shift, the rainfall changing the bilberry ground cover plants to red and the mosses to green. —National Geographic, 7 Jan. 2020

Don’t miss the chance to go for a hike in one of the country’s national parks: July is when berry-picking season begins, and the hedgerows burst with bilberries and cloudberries. —Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2019

Prism is a featherlight, essence-like elixir, made with all-natural fruit acids (malic acid from apple, salicylic acid from willow bark, glycolic acid from bilberry, vitamin C from kakadu plum, and orange peel) to gently exfoliate the skin. —Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 12 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

bil- (probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish bølle whortleberry) + berry

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing bilberry

• alpine bilberry
• bog bilberry

Medical Definition

bilberry

noun

bil·​ber·​ry ˈbil-ˌber-ē 

plural bilberries

1

: a low-growing, erect, Eurasian shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus) having blue or bluish black fruits that resemble blueberries but are borne singly rather than in clusters

2

: the sweet, edible fruit of the bilberry

also : the dried fruit or an extract of this fruit used as an herbal remedy