cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-ˌbe-rē, 

-b(ə-)rē

1

: the red acid berry produced by some plants (such as Vaccinium oxycoccos and V. macrocarpon) of the heath family

also : a plant producing these

2

: any of various plants with a fruit that resembles a cranberry

3

: a dark red

Examples of cranberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finely ground ginger snap cookies make for a crust that stands up to the cranberry-cheesecake filling. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

The Charlotte Thanksgiving sandwich layers turkey, sweet potato and cranberry, while the Colombian paisa sandwich brings together beef, sweet plantains and avocado. —Tristan Graziano, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026

Options like tomato, lemon, and cranberry juice can fit into lower-sugar eating patterns. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 22 Apr. 2026

For food, each experience starts with an orange-cranberry scone, which comes from chef Rogers' annual family Thanksgiving menu. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Low German kraanbere, from kraan crane + bere berry

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cranberry

• cranberry bush
• highbush cranberry
• mountain cranberry

Rhymes for cranberry

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

Kids Definition

cranberry

noun

cran·​ber·​ry ˈkran-ˌber-ē 

-b(ə-)rē

: the bright red sour berry of any of several trailing plants related to the blueberry

also : a plant producing these