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 version adds to the festivities with its bright color and bold cranberry flavor. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2025

The meal starts with a garden salad including spinach, apples from Apple Hill, Point Reyes blue cheese, cranberries, pecans and a shallot vinaigrette. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Take a cranberry supplement, which is available in capsule and tablet form. —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 13 Nov. 2025

Fresh rosemary, cranberry, ginger, and orange all exude autumnal energy and can perk up the base beverage. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 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