burr

noun

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\ ˈbər

Definition of burr

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 usually bur

a : a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit

b : a plant that bears burs

2a : something that sticks or clings a burr in the throat

b : hanger-on

3 : an irregular rounded mass especially : a tree burl

4 : a thin ridge or area of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal

5a : a trilled uvular \r\ as used by some speakers of English especially in northern England and in Scotland

b : a tongue-point trill that is the usual Scottish \r\

6a : a small rotary cutting tool

b usually bur : a bit used on a dental drill

7 : a rough humming sound : whir

burr

verb

burred; burring; burrs

Definition of burr (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to speak with a burr

2 : to make a whirring sound

transitive verb

1 : to pronounce with a burr

2a : to form into a projecting edge

b : to remove burrs from

Burr

biographical name

\ ˈbər

Definition of Burr (Entry 3 of 3)

Aaron 1756–1836 3rd vice president of the U.S. (1801–05)

Other Words from burr Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about burr

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Examples of burr in a Sentence

Noun a tool that can cut through steel leaving a smooth edge and no burrs heard the burr of a distant engine Verb the pitch burred past the batter's ear

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Some may even argue that select trees look better after the leaves have dropped, better exposing burr oaks, for example, with their majestically broad form and deeply furrowed bark. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Winterscaping the yard can take the chill out of a snowy landscape," 1 Oct. 2020 This burr coffee grinder is a great option if the Virtuoso+ is a bit out of your price range. — Lesley Kennedy, CNN Underscored, "The best coffee grinders of 2020," 4 Sep. 2020 The Bodum burr grinder uses stainless steel conical burrs to crush the coffee beans rather than slice them. — Ellen Mcalpine, CNN Underscored, "Drink up some savings on our best value coffee grinder pick," 30 July 2020 Fast, burr-free cutting is attainable with this thin .045-inch cutting edge design. — Chelsea Stone, CNN Underscored, "Tackle home projects with $10 off Dewalt tool orders of $50 or more at Amazon," 3 June 2020 Take the first one at the smallest circumference point between the burr (the gnarly spot where the buck’s rack emerges from the skull) and the brow tine, or G-1. — Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, "How to Score a Buck—the Right Way," 2 Dec. 2019 As with regular coffee grinders, some grind and brews have blade grinders and some have burr grinders. — Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, "15 Types of Coffee Makers and How to Find the Best One for You," 8 Apr. 2020 The short coats are burr-proof, yet are enough to see GSP’s through hunts in bitterly cold upper midwestern winter days. — Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, "How to Choose Your First Bird-Dog Puppy," 23 Mar. 2020 In a separate document, available at www-burr-ridge-.gov, assistant administrator Evan Walter noted the village received two objections via email as well as some objections and support via phone calls. — Jesse Wright, chicagotribune.com, "Burr Ridge residents speak out against recreational marijuana sales; town hall planned," 16 Oct. 2019

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