raspberry

noun

rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē How to pronounce raspberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
1
a
: any of various usually black or red edible berries that are aggregate fruits consisting of numerous small drupes on a fleshy receptacle and that are usually rounder and smaller than the closely related blackberries
b
: a perennial plant (genus Rubus) of the rose family that bears raspberries
2
[short for raspberry tart, rhyming slang for fart] : a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration
broadly : an expression of disapproval or contempt

Illustration of raspberry

Illustration of raspberry

Examples of raspberry in a Sentence

One of the children made a raspberry at him. there were raspberries from the audience when the hapless actress kept forgetting her lines
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.
The drink — available in watermelon strawberry, raspberry melon and peach tangerine — includes 740 milligrams of electrolytes and three essential B vitamins, with only two grams of sugar added. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025 Common host plants include roses, hibiscus, pines, and some types of deciduous trees and shrubs including dogwood, oak, birch, ash, elm, and azaleas, as well as blackberry and raspberry bushes, says Khan. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025 To serve, top with thick, creamy Greek yogurt and vibrant fruits of choice, like raspberries, mangoes and blueberries. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025 Some of the chef's notable dishes include risotto with lemon, burrata, and licorice, and spaghetti with oysters and raspberries. Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raspberry

Word History

Etymology

English dialect rasp raspberry + English berry

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of raspberry was circa 1616

Cite this Entry

“Raspberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raspberry. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

raspberry

noun
rasp·​ber·​ry ˈraz-ˌber-ē How to pronounce raspberry (audio)
-b(ə-)rē
1
a
: any of various black or red edible berries that are rounder and smaller than the related blackberries
b
: a usually prickly plant that produces raspberries
2
: a sound of scorn made by sticking out the tongue and blowing hard so as to make it vibrate

More from Merriam-Webster on raspberry

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