juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

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

Examples of juniper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The canyons are layered with color; evergreen junipers and chartreuse shrubs blanket the ground. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 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

Plant juniper far away from your home to be on the safe side. —Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 21 May 2026

The base is London Hill Dry Gin, which is a clean juniper-forward gin. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing juniper

• juniper tar

Kids Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

1

a

: any of numerous evergreen shrubs and trees that are related to the pines but produce female cones resembling berries

b

: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper

2

: any of various evergreen trees resembling true junipers

Medical Definition

juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər 

: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)

especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)