bilberry

noun

bil·ber·ry | \ ˈbil-ˌber-ē

, -ˌbe-rē\

Definition of bilberry

1 : a low-growing, erect, Eurasian shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus) having blue or bluish-black fruits that resemble blueberries but are borne singly rather than in clusters

2 : the sweet, edible fruit of the bilberry used especially in pies and jams also : the dried fruit or an extract of this fruit used as an herbal remedy

Note: Both the plant and its fruit are also called whortleberry and (chiefly Scottish) blaeberry.

3 : any of several related plants (such as Vaccinium caespitosum) or their fruit

Examples of bilberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t miss the chance to go for a hike in one of the country’s national parks: July is when berry-picking season begins, and the hedgerows burst with bilberries and cloudberries. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Places to Visit in July," 29 May 2019 Prism is a featherlight, essence-like elixir, made with all-natural fruit acids (malic acid from apple, salicylic acid from willow bark, glycolic acid from bilberry, vitamin C from kakadu plum, and orange peel) to gently exfoliate the skin. — Sarah Kinonen, Allure, "Herbivore Botanicals' New Prism Exfoliating Glow Potion Is the Prettiest Serum of the Summer," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bilberry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Jun 2019

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The first known use of bilberry was in 1584

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More Definitions for bilberry

bilberry

noun

bil·ber·ry | \ ˈbil-ˌber-ē

plural bilberries

Medical Definition of bilberry

1 : a low-growing, erect, Eurasian shrub (Vaccinium myrtillus) having blue or bluish black fruits that resemble blueberries but are borne singly rather than in clusters

2 : the sweet, edible fruit of the bilberry also : the dried fruit or an extract of this fruit used as an herbal remedy