burr

1 of 2

noun

ˈbər 

1

usually bur

a

: a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit

b

: a plant that bears burs

2

a

: 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

5

a

: 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\

6

a

: a small rotary cutting tool

b

usually bur : a bit used on a dental drill

7

: a rough humming sound : whir

burred

ˈbərd 

adjective

burr

2 of 2

verb

burred; burring; burrs

intransitive verb

1

: to speak with a burr

2

: to make a whirring sound

transitive verb

1

: to pronounce with a burr

2

a

: to form into a projecting edge

b

: to remove burrs from

burrer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• hum
• purr
• buzz
• rustle

Verb

• hum
• buzz
• zip
• whirr
• whisper

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 of our favorite products are on sale, like a great conical burr grinder and a few excellent drip coffee makers. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 July 2025

Think conical burr grinders, milk frothers, and more. —Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 June 2025

Blade grinders are far less consistent, breaking beans unevenly rather than accurately shaving them into an even ground size and shape like a burr grinder. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025

Someone used a chainsaw to illegally cut down five burr and basswood trees along the walking and bike paths at Cedar Lake, causing thousands of dollars in damage, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board says. —Axios Twin Cities, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English burre; akin to Old English byrst bristle — more at bristle

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1798, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing burr

• a burr in/under the saddle

Rhymes for burr

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh

Kids Definition

burr

noun

ˈbər

1

usually bur

ˈbər

a

: a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit

b

: a plant that bears burs

2

: roughness left in cutting or shaping metal

3

usually bur : a bit used on a dentist's drill

4

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

burred

ˈbərd

adjective

Medical Definition

burr

variant of bur

Biographical Definition

Burr

biographical name

ˈbər 

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