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

Mix bitter lettuce varieties like radicchio and endive with tender greens, add something substantial like lentils or roasted sweet potatoes, and finish with bright pops of pomegranate or dried cranberries. —Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Oct. 2025

Winter Spiced Cranberry takes the classic lemon-lime flavor for which Sprite is known and loved and adds a touch of warming spices along with a just a hint of zingy cranberry flavor. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

Commerical production of cranberries began near Berlin in Green Lake County in the early 1850s, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025

In a small bowl whisk together cranberry sauce and jelly until nearly smooth; stir in sage. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Oct. 2025

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