juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs

called also juniper berry

2

: any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

Examples of juniper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Poisonous berries include American bittersweet, cotoneaster, holly, juniper, pokeweed, and yew. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025

With the exception of very compact junipers, these plants are too large to grow close to your home. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025

Her hogan, completed in 2020, is built out of juniper wood, bark, and sand. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025

Other culprits include birch, ash, elm and juniper. —Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing juniper

• juniper tar

Kids Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous evergreen shrubs and trees that are related to the pines but produce female cones resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

2

: any of various evergreen trees resembling true junipers

Medical Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)

especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)