chokeberry

noun

choke·​ber·​ry ˈchōk-ˌber-ē 

: a small berrylike astringent fruit

also : any of a genus (Aronia) of North American shrubs of the rose family bearing chokeberries

Examples of chokeberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Red chokeberry bears vibrant red foliage just like burning bush, and homeowners can make jam out of the berries that can grow into early winter. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 12 Mar. 2026

Aronia Also known as black chokeberry, aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) is attractive in spring, summer, and fall. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2026

Cold-weather plants that are known to attract songbirds include purple chokeberry (Aronia x prunifolia) and American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

Aronia 'chokeberry' These native plants are members of genus that includes several varieties. —Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025

Half of the chokeberry and elderberry shrubs, important for songbirds migrating, were also burned up. —Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2025

The main culprit organizers identified was black chokeberry, but other problematic plants included willows and aspens. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025

Aronia berry, also known as chokeberry, is one candidate. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chokeberry

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary