wintergreen
noun
win·ter·green
ˈwin-tər-ˌgrēn 
1
: any of a genus (Pyrola of the family Ericaceae, the heath family) of evergreen perennial herbs (such as the shinleafs) that have basal leaves and racemose flowers
2
a
: any of a genus (Gaultheria) of evergreen plants of the heath family
especially
: a low creeping evergreen shrub (G. procumbens) of North America with white flowers and spicy red berries compare checkerberry
b(1)
: an essential oil from this plant
(2)
: the flavor of this oil
wintergreen lozenges
Examples of wintergreen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These include wintergreen, golden star (Chrysogonum virginianum), and barren strawberry.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
On the nose, the whisky offers a classic Western Canadian rye aroma, with herbal notes of mint and wintergreen, plus cracked pepper, rye bread, vanilla, toffee, and seasoned oak.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Squishing the berries produces a wintergreen smell.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Aveda’s Sun Care Protective Hair Veil uses wintergreen and cinnamon bark oil to protect the hair from the sun’s drying effects, while Rahua’s UV protectant—infused with morete oil from the Amazon Rainforest—hydrates and detangles.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wintergreen
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
On the nose, the whisky offers a classic Western Canadian rye aroma, with herbal notes of mint and wintergreen, plus cracked pepper, rye bread, vanilla, toffee, and seasoned oak.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Squishing the berries produces a wintergreen smell.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Aveda’s Sun Care Protective Hair Veil uses wintergreen and cinnamon bark oil to protect the hair from the sun’s drying effects, while Rahua’s UV protectant—infused with morete oil from the Amazon Rainforest—hydrates and detangles.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wintergreen
Cite this Entry
“Wintergreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wintergreen. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wintergreen
noun
win·ter·green
ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn
1
a
: a low evergreen plant of the heath family with white bell-shaped flowers and spicy red berries
called also checkerberry
b
: an oil from the wintergreen or its flavor
2
: any of several plants related to the wintergreen
Medical Definition
wintergreen
noun
win·ter·green
ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn
1
: any plant of the genus Gaultheria
especially
: a low evergreen plant (G. procumbens) with white flowers and spicy red berries
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