cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē, 

-b(ə-)rē

1

: the red acid berry produced by some plants (such as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon) of the heath family

also : a plant producing these

2

: any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry

3

: a dark red

Examples of cranberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This was cranberry-bog country, Middleboro Pediatrics just a few doors down from the headquarters of Ocean Spray. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Urinary Tract Health The high concentration of proanthocyanidin (PAC) antioxidants in cranberries can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. — Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 31 Aug. 2026

Visitors can cruise Lake Muskoka, hike around Hardy Lake, attend waterski shows, golf, and experience the fall cranberry harvest. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Order a Thanksgiving pasty (turkey and cranberry) from Roy’s. — Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cranberry

• cranberry bush
• highbush cranberry
• mountain cranberry

Rhymes for cranberry

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

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry

also : a plant producing these