wintergreen

noun

win·​ter·​green ˈwin-tər-ˌgrēn 

1

: any of a genus (Pyrola of the family Ericaceae, the heath family) of evergreen perennial herbs (such as the shinleafs) that have basal leaves and racemose flowers

2

a

: any of a genus (Gaultheria) of evergreen plants of the heath family

especially : a low creeping evergreen shrub (G. procumbens) of North America with white flowers and spicy red berries compare checkerberry

b(1)

: an essential oil from this plant

(2)

: the flavor of this oil

wintergreen lozenges

Examples of wintergreen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The records featured in that collection came in two colors: violet shimmered marble and wintergreen and onyx marble, while the new art featured Swift posing in a sparkly bodysuit with matching gloves and fishnet stockings. —Alex Ross, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Available in two colors — wintergreen onyx and violet shimmer — the marbled Shiny Bug vinyl records feature exclusive cover art depicting Swift wearing a dark, sparkly leotard with flared spikes and matching gloves. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2025

Thick waxy leaves and berries have a characteristic wintergreen scent when crushed. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Feb. 2025

The Ozona was a snuff that smelled faintly of wintergreen. —Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wintergreen

• oil of wintergreen

Rhymes for wintergreen

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

wintergreen

noun

win·​ter·​green ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn 

1

a

: a low evergreen plant of the heath family with white bell-shaped flowers and spicy red berries

called also checkerberry

b

: an oil from the wintergreen or its flavor

2

: any of several plants related to the wintergreen

Medical Definition

wintergreen

noun

win·​ter·​green ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn 

1

: any plant of the genus Gaultheria

especially : a low evergreen plant (G. procumbens) with white flowers and spicy red berries

2

: oil of wintergreen