barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

: any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family) of shrubs usually having spines, usually yellow flowers, and oblong red or blackish berries

Examples of barberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Invasive Species Management Act outlaws the sale and spread of 30 species, like the Bradford (or Callery) pear, Japanese barberry and running bamboo, throughout the Garden State. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Similar to the burning bush, Japanese barberry is also very invasive due to the berries being deposited by birds and animals. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026

Three former fields will be burned to help renew the grassland and reduce the spread of invasive plants such as Asiatic bittersweet, Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, and autumn olive. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026

Berberine Berberine is a natural compound found in plants like goldenseal and barberry. —Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English berberie, from Medieval Latin berberis, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for barberry

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry
• equerry

Kids Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

: any of a genus of spiny yellow-flowered shrubs with bright red or blackish berries

Medical Definition

barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry

British often & US sometimes

ˈbär-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē

plural barberries

1

: any shrub of the genus Berberis (especially B. aquifolium)

2

: berberis sense 2