Illustration of elderberry
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-dər-ˌber-ē 
ˈel-də-,
-ˌbe-rē
1
: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
2
: a tree or shrub bearing elderberries
Examples of elderberry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Green soft wood cuttings should be propagated from trees like mulberry and elderberry in early spring before new growth begins, while semi-hardwood cuttings from citrus trees are taken from new growth that’s starting to turn woody in summer.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Taking elderberry and zinc together may help prevent or shorten colds and flu more than using either alone.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
There’s also a chance to see a variety of wildlife and plants like the blue elderberry, willow and sugar bush.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
About 35 people joined the initial planting of native species such as black elderberry, ninebark and marsh baccharis.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026
Taking elderberry and zinc together may help prevent or shorten colds and flu more than using either alone.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
There’s also a chance to see a variety of wildlife and plants like the blue elderberry, willow and sugar bush.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
About 35 people joined the initial planting of native species such as black elderberry, ninebark and marsh baccharis.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
Cite this Entry
“Elderberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderberry. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē
1
: the edible black or red fruit of any of a genus of shrubs or trees of the same family as the honeysuckles that produce flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
2
: any tree or shrub that produces elderberries
Medical Definition
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē
plural elderberries
1
: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of a tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus that is eaten raw or processed into preserves or wines
2
: any tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus including several whose flowers or fruits were once considered to have medicinal properties see bourtree, sambucus sense 2
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