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

This sweet and savory white cheddar is blended with cranberries and chipotle peppers. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

These tiny tarts mix cranberries and orange peel into a delightful pecan tassie recipe. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 20 Jan. 2026

These tart, crispy rice cookies were made with real, premium cranberries and white fudge chips. —Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 Jan. 2026

Her order instead was cranberry and some sparkling, which Plemons dutifully delivered to her throughout the night. —Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 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