bramble

noun bram·ble \ ˈbram-bəl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of bramble

1 : any of a genus (Rubus) of usually prickly shrubs of the rose family including the raspberries and blackberries; also : the fruit of a bramble

2 : a rough prickly shrub or vine

—

brambly

play \-b(ə-)lē\ adjective

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Recent Examples of bramble from the Web

Magic promotes the encroachment of the brambles, a kind of killer kudzu that puts those who touch it into a death-like sleep.

— michael berry, San Francisco Chronicle, "Roundup of new science fiction and fantasy books, March 18," 14 Mar. 2018
There are luxuriant shots of Douglas firs roiling in the wind, lonesome railroad crossings, and small pools of flashlight glow skidding over tree branches and brambles.

— laura miller, Slate Magazine, "The Twin Peaks reboot is not the fusion of arthouse and mainstream sensibilities that viewers might expect. It’s pure David Lynch—and it’s glorious.," 22 May 2017
Huge brambles of trees, shrubs, vines, fallen debris, and garbage create blockages throughout central San Jose.

— mercury news readers, The Mercury News, "May 4 Letters: Don’t ruin precious creeks in name of flood protection," 3 May 2017
Adding to the embarrassment, the rocket landed in a swamp and the team members had to wade out through the bugs and brambles to recover the wayward rocket.

— greg mellen, Orange County Register, "Irvine, Newport Beach teen rocketeers ready for launch," 23 Apr. 2017
Last summer saw the falling of the brambles before the axes of men, saw the reclamation of the old house by industrious women.

— jamie hale, OregonLive.com, "The Oregonian visited the state's first nudist colony in 1935 -- and got an eyeful," 20 June 2017
Farmers, who had been living in tents, used herbicides and pesticides on the plants and had surrounded the pot field with piles of twigs and brambles to conceal the area.

— kirk mitchell, The Denver Post, "Mexican man who guarded clandestine marijuana crop on San Isabel National Forest land gets year in prison," 31 May 2017
The project to transform a stretch of Boise Greenbelt into a pocket park began with a walk through the brambles.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Rotary project will build a tiny park on the Greenbelt and rescue a forgotten monument," 5 May 2017
Brambles and bushes carpeted old orchard lands on sides of the trail.

— bill leukhardt, Courant Community, "Berlin Opens Trails At Chotkowski Conservation Area," 4 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of bramble

Middle English brembel, from Old English brēmel; akin to Old English brōm broom

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

BRAMBLE Defined for English Language Learners

bramble

noun

Definition of bramble for English Language Learners

: a rough bush or vine that usually has sharp thorns on its branches

BRAMBLE Defined for Kids

bramble

noun bram·ble \ ˈbram-bəl \

Definition of bramble for Students

: a rough prickly bush or vine —usually used in pl.

blackberry brambles

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See words that rhyme with bramble Spanish Central: Translation of bramble Nglish: Translation of bramble for Spanish speakers

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bramble

Definition of bramble

brambly

Recent Examples of bramble from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bramble

Other Seed Plant Terms

BRAMBLE Defined for English Language Learners

bramble

Definition of bramble for English Language Learners

BRAMBLE Defined for Kids

bramble

Definition of bramble for Students

Learn More about bramble

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brambly

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