elderberry

noun

el·​der·​ber·​ry ˈel-dər-ˌber-ē 

ˈel-də-,

-ˌbe-rē

1

: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small white or pink flowers

2

: a tree or shrub bearing elderberries

Illustration of elderberry

Examples of elderberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Massimo gets beef tenderloin and elderberries; Shuai, short ribs and black currants; Bailey, beef cheek and Saskatoon berry; Lana, New York striploin and haskap berry; César, rib eye and chokeberry; and Tristen, flat iron and gooseberry. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 May 2025

Pro-ceramides and an elderberry complex get the job done while leaving skin radiant and moisturized. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Guest pauses at an overlook and, with magician-like flair, offers fresh strawberries and fizzy water infused with elderberry from his backpack. —Danielle Hallock, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025

Plants like elderberry and echinacea are also used in immune system supplements. —Katie Mogg, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for elderberry

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

elderberry

noun

el·​der·​ber·​ry ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē 

1

: the edible black or red fruit of any of a genus of shrubs or trees of the same family as the honeysuckles that produce flat clusters of small white or pink flowers

2

: any tree or shrub that produces elderberries

Medical Definition

elderberry

noun

el·​der·​ber·​ry ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē 

plural elderberries

1

: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of a tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus that is eaten raw or processed into preserves or wines

2

: any tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus including several whose flowers or fruits were once considered to have medicinal properties see bourtree, sambucus sense 2