elderberry

noun

el·​der·​ber·​ry ˈel-dər-ˌber-ē How to pronounce elderberry (audio)
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

Illustration of elderberry

Illustration of elderberry

Examples of elderberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Half of the chokeberry and elderberry shrubs, important for songbirds migrating, were also burned up. Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2025 Throughout the event, children and young people were participating in discussions of identity and preserving traditional food, such as Mexican identity and its connection to corn and how adaption and growth effect the making of tribal dishes such as acorn soup and elderberry medicine. Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025 That’s not the case with this gentle toner from Renee Rouleau, which calls on antioxidant elderberry to neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging), fight hyperpigmentation, and help promote collagen production. Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025 It’s packed with hydrating elderberry oil, starflower oil, and the brand’s go-to collagen-boosting algae extract to leave your skin baby-soft, not stripped. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for elderberry

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of elderberry was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elderberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderberry. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

elderberry

noun
el·​der·​ber·​ry ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē How to pronounce elderberry (audio)
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 How to pronounce elderberry (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on elderberry

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