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 cranberry-colored outfit includes dress shirt, matching dress shoes and socks, and accessories that reflect the actor’s red-carpet style, Tussauds officials say. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

Related closely to blueberries, cranberries share similar growth requirements. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026

One shopper even spilled cranberry juice on theirs with no residual stains. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2026

Then, the darker shades took over with dark purple mid-lengths spliced with platinum highlights, deepening into a cranberry-magenta fusion at the ends. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 23 Mar. 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