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

The meal specifically includes an 8-pound Butterball frozen turkey, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce, Stove Top stuffing, Kraft macaroni and cheese, McCormick turkey gravy mix, ingredients for green bean casserole and more. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Meals are prepared in-house and feature seasonal Alaska ingredients, such as Copper River king salmon and low-bush cranberries that the chef team foraged. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

Some fruits like blueberries and strawberries are thought of even past their peak seasons, while the humble cranberry only takes center stage at Thanksgiving or when trying to quell a urinary tract infection (UTI). — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Nov. 2026

Between the two, the chips edged out the popcorn for me, especially with that cranberry-sauce dip combo in my future. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 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