bayberry

noun

bay·​ber·​ry ˈbā-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

1

: any of several wax myrtles

especially : a hardy shrub (Myrica pensylvanica) of coastal eastern North America bearing dense clusters of small berries covered with grayish-white wax

2

: the fruit of a bayberry

Examples of bayberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The road transitions from pine trees to bayberries to marshland until reaching a small beach. — Simon Davidson, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026

Drought-tolerant shrubs like bayberry and bluebeard provide foliage and flowers that thrive in varying conditions. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026

In October, the dunes flare with goldenrod and the bronze of bayberry. — Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

Ocean vistas, as well as those of native pine, bayberry and beach plum that surround the house, abound. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bayberry

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

Kids Definition

bayberry

noun

bay·​ber·​ry ˈbā-ˌber-ē 

1

: any of several wax myrtles

especially : a hardy shrub of coastal eastern North America that produces clusters of small berries covered with grayish white wax

2

: the fruit of a bayberry

Medical Definition

bayberry

noun

bay·​ber·​ry

ˈbā-ˌber-ē, British often & US sometimes -b(ə-)rē

plural bayberries

1

: a West Indian tree of the genus Pimenta (P. racemosa) of the myrtle family yielding a yellow aromatic oil

2

a

: any of several wax myrtles

especially : a hardy shrub (Myrica pensylvanica) of coastal eastern North America bearing dense clusters of small globular nuts covered with grayish white wax

b

: the fruit of a bayberry