winterberry

noun

win·​ter·​ber·​ry ˈwin-tər-ˌber-ē 

1

: an eastern North American shrub (Ilex verticillata) of the holly family with axillary flowers, usually bright red berries, and deciduous leaves that turn black in the fall

called also black alder

2

: any of several congeneric shrubs or small trees (such as Ilex laevigata of the eastern U.S.)

Examples of winterberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Putting a few stems of winterberry in a vase with some additional greenery can create a nice addition to your dining room table, too. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025

Wild birds rely on winterberry plants for food when snow covers the ground. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025

The simple, iridescent jar blends seamlessly into anyone’s home while notes of evergreen, crisp apple and winterberry gently fill the space. —People Staff, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023

Other cool-weather shrubs to consider for the region include witch hazel, winter jasmine, viburnum and winterberry. —oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2021

The winterberry holly is a bit slower. —Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for winterberry

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