cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē, 

-b(ə-)rē

1

: the red acid berry produced by some plants (such as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon) of the heath family

also : a plant producing these

2

: any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry

3

: a dark red

Examples of cranberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pick up sandwiches and snacks at Moulton Farm for a beach or hiking picnic, or cozy up at a table in Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant for The Gobbler sandwich (turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayo on brioche). — Annie Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Moderate consumption of certain fruit juices (tart cherry, cranberry, and blueberry) may offer benefits, but fruit juice should not replace whole fruits in your diet. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026

Fresh goji berries are bittersweet with a slight tang, often described as a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026

The chicken is excellent without the sweet and tangy cranberry barbecue, so take a note from your coffee creamer and go half-and-half. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cranberry

• cranberry bush
• highbush cranberry
• mountain cranberry

Rhymes for cranberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry

also : a plant producing these