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

Because cranberries kept well and retained their vitamin C, sailors and whalers once relied on them to help prevent scurvy during long voyages. —Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 22 Nov. 2025

Our family growing up didn’t waste our time with a cranberry sauce no one may like anyway. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2025

Guests can choose from entrées like roast turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, prime rib with au jus and horseradish or beef Wellington wrapped in a pastry crust with red wine bordelaise. —Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025

In addition to its standard dinner menu, the restaurant will serve a Thanksgiving spread that includes turkey, brioche stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, French green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry and pear chutney, rolls and pumpkin cheesecake. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 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