Illustration of elderberry
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
Examples of elderberry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sliced apples and oranges are common grosbeak offerings, along with fruiting plants such as elderberry, crabapple or raspberries.
—
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The berries are cooked and made into jam, syrup, and elderberry wine.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The liquid bronzer also features light-diffusing silica that softly blurs texture, and antioxidant-rich elderberry pairs with soothing botanicals like evening primrose to help keep dry, mature skin comfortable.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
While there are some self-pollinating elderberry varieties, it's recommended to get two or more plants, which will encourage a good fruit set every year.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The berries are cooked and made into jam, syrup, and elderberry wine.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The liquid bronzer also features light-diffusing silica that softly blurs texture, and antioxidant-rich elderberry pairs with soothing botanicals like evening primrose to help keep dry, mature skin comfortable.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
While there are some self-pollinating elderberry varieties, it's recommended to get two or more plants, which will encourage a good fruit set every year.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
Cite this Entry
“Elderberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderberry. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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