cherry

noun

cher·​ry ˈcher-ē 

ˈche-rē

plural cherries

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family that bear pale yellow to deep red or blackish smooth-skinned drupes enclosing a smooth seed and that include some cultivated for their fruits or ornamental flowers compare sour cherry, sweet cherry

b

: the fruit of a cherry

c

: the reddish-brown wood of a cherry

especially : black cherry sense 2

2

: a variable color averaging a moderate red

3

informal

a

: hymen

b

: virginity

4

informal : the burning end of a lit cigarette or cigar

I'm horrified: Dag is burning holes in the roof of the car with the cherry of his cigarette.

—Douglas Coupland

"Oh lord. Be quiet and maybe he won't find me. Put out your cigarette, Ryder, he'll see the cherry."

—Julie Buntin

cherrylike

ˈcher-ē-ˌlīk 

ˈche-rē-

adjective

Examples of cherry in a Sentence

The kitchen cabinets are made of cherry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sequitur 2018 Ribbon Ridge is cherry red in the glass with aromas of blue fruits, Bing cherry, and cranberry. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024

Following a cocktail hour featuring a set by DJ Isabella Massenet, Sturm invited a host of fashion and beauty’s finest to Torrisi’s main dining room, which was decorated with white tablecloths topped with white orchids, cherry blossoms, and glowing candles for the occasion. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

While on a visit to Washington last week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan will gift 250 cherry trees as replacements, a nod to Japan's original cherry tree gift 112 years ago. —USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Posing in front of a cherry blossom tree and flower garden, Paul leaned down to kiss Agdal in one photo while the two looked lovingly at one another for a second shot. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

With travel stories of cherry blossoms in Berlin and tea plants in the Himalayan foothills from author Jessica J. Lee. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024

Garnish with marshmallows, maraschino cherries, coconut flakes, or any ingredient unique to your family recipe. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024

The Biden-Kishida summit Wednesday was followed by a formal state dinner featuring dry-aged rib-eye steak, cherry blossoms and a performance by Paul Simon. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

Native to Japan, the cherry blossom trees that draw crowds to the Washington, D.C. —Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chery, from Anglo-French cherise, cirice (taken as a plural), from Late Latin ceresia, from Latin cerasus cherry tree, from Greek kerasos

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing cherry

• bing cherry
• black cherry
• cherry bomb
• cherry-pick
• cherry picker
• cherry tomato
• ground-cherry
• Jerusalem cherry
• sour cherry
• sweet cherry

Kids Definition

cherry

noun

cher·​ry ˈcher-ē 

plural cherries

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs that are related to the roses and have rather small pale yellow to deep blackish red smooth-skinned fruits

b

: the fruit of a cherry

c

: the reddish brown wood of a cherry

2

: a medium red

Etymology

Middle English chery "a cherry," from early French cherise "the cherry" (mistaken as being a plural), derived from Latin cerasus "cherry tree"

Medical Definition

cherry

noun

cher·​ry ˈcher-ē 

plural cherries

1

: any of numerous trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family that bear pale yellow to deep red or blackish smooth-skinned drupes enclosing a smooth seed and that belong to any of several varieties including some cultivated for their fruits or ornamental flowers

2

: the fruit of a cherry