buckthorn

noun

buck·​thorn ˈbək-ˌthȯrn 

1

: any of a genus (Rhamnus of the family Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family) of often thorny trees or shrubs some of which yield purgatives or pigments

2

: a shrub or small tree (Sideroxylon lycioides) of the sapodilla family of the southern U.S.

Examples of buckthorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, the Sun Repair by Laurel Skin is a full-body massage using Laurel’s Sun Body Oil and Sun Serum, which is rich in regenerative botanicals like red raspberry seed oil, coconut oil, rosehip fruit, and sea buckthorn seed. —Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

Fine Line buckthorn is a tough, adaptable shrub for full sun to part shade locations. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025

The arrival of beech leaf disease is exactly the opportunity buckthorn is looking for: Where mature trees fall, the shrub can take over in a matter of months. —Robert Sullivan, Curbed, 9 June 2025

This facial oil is packed with a ton of unique ingredients like sea buckthorn oil and buckwheat honey. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing buckthorn

• cascara buckthorn

Rhymes for buckthorn

• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn
• forsworn

Medical Definition

buckthorn

noun

buck·​thorn ˈbək-ˌthȯ(ə)rn 

: a shrub or tree of the genus Rhamnus sometimes having thorny branches and often containing purgative principles in bark or sap and producing fruits sometimes used as a source of yellow and green dyes or pigments see cascara buckthorn