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

Keeping a bag of frozen cranberries in the freezer for yogurt or salads is a quick and easy way to add extra hydration to a meal. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2025

Easy drinking and well balanced with a lush mid palate and some cocoa and cranberry juice flavors on the finish. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Think glossy fruit glazes, creative piping techniques, or seasonal accents like caramel drizzle and sugared cranberries. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2025

The cranberry juice came from Walmart's Great Value brand and had been substituted during an online grocery order. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 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