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

Curving through the gnarled scrub and wind-bent juniper trees, Wildcat Trail loops around the West Mitten formation. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

First-time visitors to the Comanche National Grassland are often surprised to find such a varied landscape, the tourism agency says, from rolling short-grass prairies to rugged canyons rimmed by pinion-juniper forests. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

But the gin barrel finish has imbued this whiskey with a range of fascinating botanical notes—cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and just a hint of juniper and black pepper. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2025

There are evergreen conifers such as yews and junipers and, depending on your local climate, also broadleaf evergreen shrubs such as camellias that create year-round privacy. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025

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)