wintergreen

noun

win·​ter·​green ˈwin-tər-ˌgrēn How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
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
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.
Key Ingredients: Pre-retinol (retinol precursor), sunflower oil, wintergreen extract, hibiscus flower extract, christophine extract, water lily extract Best For: Rejuvenating tired, aging skin by brightening and evening out skin tone for a smoother, more radiant complexion. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 May 2025 With just a hint of wintergreen oil, this was the preferred coca of the Inca, not to mention the key ingredient in the secret formula of Coca-Cola. Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025 The first three of those colors come from the Pixel 9 range, but iris is new, looking almost purple, and takes the place of wintergreen which now becomes a Pixel 9 exclusive. David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 This link will show you the wintergreen Pixel 9 for $799, which is full price. David Phelan, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wintergreen

Word History

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wintergreen was in 1525

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Cite this Entry

“Wintergreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wintergreen. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

wintergreen

noun
win·​ter·​green ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
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 How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
1
: any plant of the genus Gaultheria
especially : a low evergreen plant (G. procumbens) with white flowers and spicy red berries
2

More from Merriam-Webster on wintergreen

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