Oregon grape

noun

Or·​e·​gon grape ˈȯr-i-gən- How to pronounce Oregon grape (audio)
ˈär-,
-ˌgän-
: an evergreen shrub (Mahonia aquifolium) of the barberry family that has yellow flowers, bears edible bluish-black berries, and is native to western North America

Illustration of Oregon grape

Illustration of oregon grape

Examples of Oregon grape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Japanese honeysuckle, dewberry, dogwood, blackberry cane, and Oregon grape are all examples of regional species that are highly favored by deer—and most of them can last well into the winter. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Berberine is a natural compound found in various plants, including goldenseal, turmeric, and Oregon grape. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023 Berberine is a bioactive compound derived from a variety of shrubs, including barberry, Oregon grape, goldthread, tree turmeric, and others. Sarah Garone, Health, 1 June 2023 An old Oregon grape has long thrived nearby the black walnut. oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023 The results, fermented in his garage, convinced him that Oregon grapes make world-class wines. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2023 The Oregon grape is Oregon's state flower. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2023 Solaray’s Berberine Root Extract combines Indian Barberry Berberine with Oregon grape for maximum potency and quality. Dallas News, 17 Oct. 2022 On the first hike in June, Willard led the group down a narrow path through a stand of pine and aspen, stopping to point out native plants on the trail: Blue clematis, serviceberry (which is edible), Oregon grape (edible) and chokecherry (also edible). Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Oregon grape.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Oregon, state of the U.S.

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Oregon grape was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near Oregon grape

Cite this Entry

“Oregon grape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Oregon%20grape. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

Oregon grape

noun
Or·​e·​gon grape ˌȯr-i-gən-, ˌär-, -ˌgän- How to pronounce Oregon grape (audio)
: an evergreen shrub of the genus Mahonia (M. aquifolium) having a rhizome and roots from which various alkaloids (as berberine) are obtained

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