berry

1 of 2

noun

plural berries
1
a
: a pulpy and usually edible fruit (such as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small size irrespective of its structure
b
: a simple fruit (such as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) with a pulpy or fleshy pericarp
c
: the dry seed of some plants (such as wheat)
2
: an egg of a fish or lobster

berry

2 of 2

verb

berried; berrying

intransitive verb

1
: to bear or produce berries
a berrying shrub
2
: to gather or seek berries

Examples of berry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Official tasting notes describe notes of dark chocolate, nuts, berries, and a subtle sweetness on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026 Beans and lentils, berries and other fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even oatmeal all provide fiber with a much broader package of nutrients. Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026 Their clusters of white flowers bloom in early spring, says Chrisholm, with the berries and colorful foliage emerging later in the year. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026 Leena’s mother, who was a farmer in Laos, started growing berries on the plot in 1997. Haley Parsley august 26, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for berry

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English berye, from Old English berie; akin to Old High German beri berry

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of berry was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Berry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/berry. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

berry

1 of 2 noun
plural berries
1
: a small pulpy and usually edible fruit (as a strawberry or raspberry)
2
: a fruit (as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) that develops from a single ovary and has the wall of the ripened ovary pulpy
3
: the dry seed of some plants (as coffee)
berrylike
-ē-ˌlīk
adjective

berry

2 of 2 verb
berried; berrying
1
: to bear or produce berries
2
: to gather or look for berries
go berrying

Geographical Definition

Berry

geographical name

former province of central France; capital Bourges

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