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
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
While there are some self-pollinating elderberry varieties, it's recommended to get two or more plants, which will encourage a good fruit set every year.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Products derived from nature, such as turmeric, ashwagandha, and elderberry, are difficult to patent in ways that block competitors.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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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
While there are some self-pollinating elderberry varieties, it's recommended to get two or more plants, which will encourage a good fruit set every year.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
Products derived from nature, such as turmeric, ashwagandha, and elderberry, are difficult to patent in ways that block competitors.
—Elise Felicione, STAT, 26 Feb. 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 12 Mar. 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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