juniper

noun ju·ni·per \ ˈjü-nə-pər \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of juniper

1 a : any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries

b : the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper; especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs — called also juniper berry

2 : any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

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Recent Examples of juniper from the Web

Each bar contains cleansing agents and the same ingredients that your typical bottle of shampoo calls out for specific hair types, like juniper oil to neutralize oily hair and sea salt to liven up fine hair.

— leah prinzivalli, Allure, "Lush Sold 12,000 Shampoo Bars in Just Two Days Thanks to a Viral Video," 12 June 2018
The fire is burning through grasses and pinion juniper on both sides of the road.

— kelsey mo, azcentral, "Brush fire in Navajo County up to 1,500 acres, zero containment," 5 June 2018
Chef Patrick Jacobus concocts this gelato out of juniper brittle, white sage, elderberries, and red and white currants.

— marc stirdivant, latimes.com, "Mammoth too crowded in summer and winter? Escape in the spring or fall, a.k.a. the 'slow season'," 24 May 2018
No mere afterthought, her panna cotta sits on a low base of semolina cake and is decked out with pink grapefruit fillets and grapefruit marmalade spiced with red juniper berries.

— New York Times, "A Hotel Restaurant With Neighborhood-Hangout Appeal," 15 May 2018
Intoxicating flowers and sharp citrus contribute to the warm feeling Diptyque has channeled into the fragrance, which is composed of orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, and juniper berry.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Diptyque’s Latest Additions Will Transport You to a Mediterranean Utopia," 9 May 2018
The map was developed for the final environmental analysis of the juniper project.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Farewell, western juniper. Idaho, feds partner to yank the plant & let sagebrush return," 31 May 2018
Fall and spring itineraries begin in Prescott, with cyclists traveling through the chaparral, piñon, juniper and ponderosa forests to the 54-mile Skull Valley Loop cycling challenge.

— rosemary mcclure, latimes.com, "It's all about the red rocks on Northern Arizona biking adventure," 30 May 2018
When Kenney and her husband bought their Southeast Portland house 22 years ago, the yard was stuck in the 1960s with a lawn, junipers and rhodies.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "On the market: Homes with an incredible spring garden (photos)," 26 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'juniper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of juniper

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

JUNIPER Defined for English Language Learners

juniper

noun

Definition of juniper for English Language Learners

: an evergreen shrub or tree that has tiny fruits that look like berries

JUNIPER Defined for Kids

juniper

noun ju·ni·per \ ˈjü-nə-pər \

Definition of juniper for Students

: an evergreen tree or shrub related to the pines but having tiny cones resembling berries

Medical Dictionary

juniper

noun ju·ni·per \ ˈjü-nə-pər \

medical Definition of juniper

: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae); especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)