barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

: any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family) of shrubs usually having spines, usually yellow flowers, and oblong red or blackish berries

Examples of barberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists have found that the prevalence of one invasive plant, Japanese barberry, correlates with the presence of ticks that transmit Lyme disease. —Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026

Common garden shrubs that are invasive include barberry, burning bush, Callery pear, buckthorn and Japanese honeysuckle. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026

And if your mature complexion has lost some of its luster, the radiance boost comes from a lineup of botanicals (saffron, manjishta, turmeric, licorice, and Indian barberry) that are traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help even tone, brighten dullness, and calm visible inflammation. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 2026

Berberine is a compound found in many plants, including goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape.1 Supplements containing berberine have been used to treat infections and skin disease. —Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English berberie, from Medieval Latin berberis, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for barberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

Kids Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

: any of a genus of spiny yellow-flowered shrubs with bright red or blackish berries

Medical Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry

British often & US sometimes

ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

plural barberries

1

: any shrub of the genus Berberis (especially B. aquifolium)

2

: berberis sense 2