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
Over the years, Ashlie and Tyler's garden has grown to include eggplants, melons, turnips, potatoes, apples, peaches, plums, elderberries, and blueberries.
—
Elizabeth Jardina, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026
Berry-producing plants like holly, dogwood, serviceberry, elderberry, and juniper are especially appealing during colder months when worms and insects are harder to find.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Catbirds build nests on horizontal branches hidden in dense shrubs, small trees or vines, including dogwood, elderberry, hawthorn and honeysuckle.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Choose varieties native to the United States, such as American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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Elizabeth Jardina, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026
Berry-producing plants like holly, dogwood, serviceberry, elderberry, and juniper are especially appealing during colder months when worms and insects are harder to find.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Catbirds build nests on horizontal branches hidden in dense shrubs, small trees or vines, including dogwood, elderberry, hawthorn and honeysuckle.
—Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Choose varieties native to the United States, such as American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
Cite this Entry
“Elderberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderberry. Accessed 4 Jun. 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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