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
As grandmother imparts her wisdom about the plants’ connection with phežúta — medicines — and the importance of giving thanks for their bounty, the pair sings a special song to stinging nettle, chokecherry, red clover, milkweed, elderberry, and golden rod.
—
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Sliced apples and oranges are common grosbeak offerings, along with fruiting plants such as elderberry, crabapple or raspberries.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The berries are cooked and made into jam, syrup, and elderberry wine.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The liquid bronzer also features light-diffusing silica that softly blurs texture, and antioxidant-rich elderberry pairs with soothing botanicals like evening primrose to help keep dry, mature skin comfortable.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Sliced apples and oranges are common grosbeak offerings, along with fruiting plants such as elderberry, crabapple or raspberries.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
The berries are cooked and made into jam, syrup, and elderberry wine.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
The liquid bronzer also features light-diffusing silica that softly blurs texture, and antioxidant-rich elderberry pairs with soothing botanicals like evening primrose to help keep dry, mature skin comfortable.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 5 Mar. 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 16 Apr. 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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