berry

1 of 2

noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

ˈbe-rē

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

Noun

Players could choose to either keep collecting berries from the bushes in their original location, or move to a new patch. —Popsci Staff, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024

Sapphire-blue berries appear among the leaves in fall. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024

Look for interesting branches and berries as well as flowers to add color and fullness to your display. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Suitably tart, with ribbons of berry, coconut and vanilla flavors. —Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024

From summer into fall, berries and cactus fruit, including cholla, saguaro, and prickly pear, become an important part of the diet. —Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024

These berries pack in the fiber to keep you fuller for longer. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024

In fall, the wood thrush eats the red berries before migrating to the Gulf of Mexico. —Daryln Brewer Hoffstot Kristian Thacker, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2024

Other layered desserts that Jars has experimented with include carrot cake, Rice Krispies Treat, strawberry cannoli, berries and cream and blueberry pie. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024

Verb

Cook berries: Cook blackberries and sugar in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 July 2023

Hailey Bieber takes her lip products berry seriously. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023

Cook berries: Start by boiling blackberries, sugar, and water in a medium pot until thickened. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 30 July 2023

Turn berry baskets into bins: Hung on adhesive plastic hooks, farmers' market produce baskets organize supplies and free up counter space. 2. —Laurren Welch, Country Living, 17 Apr. 2023

From spiked hot chocolate to berry rhubarb punch, there are plenty of visually appealing (and delicious) cocktails for your occasion. —Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 20 Dec. 2022

For dessert: lemon tart with cornmeal crust and blueberry compote ($5) and berry crisp with spiced ice cream ($6). —Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2021

The second new release in the Hearted IPA Variety Pack is Big Hearted IPA, an imperial IPA featuring citrus and berry hop aromas with slight bitterness. —Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec. 2022

Case in point: This white-and-brown pip berry wreath from Amazon. —Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 9 Dec. 2022

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

Phrases Containing berry

• acai berry
• buffalo berry
• Christmas berry
• goji berry
• wheat berry

Kids Definition

berry

1 of 2 noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

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

Ber·​ry be-ˈrē 

former province of central France; capital Bourges