Illustration of elderberry
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-dər-ˌber-ē 
ˈel-də-,
-ˌbe-rē
1
: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of any of a genus (Sambucus) of shrubs or trees of the honeysuckle family bearing flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
2
: a tree or shrub bearing elderberries
Examples of elderberry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Choose varieties native to the United States, such as American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
—
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
As grandmother imparts her wisdom about the plants’ connection with phežúta — medicines — and the importance of giving thanks for their bounty, the pair sings a special song to stinging nettle, chokecherry, red clover, milkweed, elderberry, and golden rod.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Green soft wood cuttings should be propagated from trees like mulberry and elderberry in early spring before new growth begins, while semi-hardwood cuttings from citrus trees are taken from new growth that’s starting to turn woody in summer.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Sliced apples and oranges are common grosbeak offerings, along with fruiting plants such as elderberry, crabapple or raspberries.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
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Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 28 Apr. 2026
As grandmother imparts her wisdom about the plants’ connection with phežúta — medicines — and the importance of giving thanks for their bounty, the pair sings a special song to stinging nettle, chokecherry, red clover, milkweed, elderberry, and golden rod.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2026
Green soft wood cuttings should be propagated from trees like mulberry and elderberry in early spring before new growth begins, while semi-hardwood cuttings from citrus trees are taken from new growth that’s starting to turn woody in summer.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2026
Sliced apples and oranges are common grosbeak offerings, along with fruiting plants such as elderberry, crabapple or raspberries.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elderberry
Cite this Entry
“Elderberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elderberry. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē
1
: the edible black or red fruit of any of a genus of shrubs or trees of the same family as the honeysuckles that produce flat clusters of small white or pink flowers
2
: any tree or shrub that produces elderberries
Medical Definition
elderberry
noun
el·der·ber·ry
ˈel-də(r)-ˌber-ē
plural elderberries
1
: the edible black or red berrylike drupe of a tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus that is eaten raw or processed into preserves or wines
2
: any tree or shrub of the genus Sambucus including several whose flowers or fruits were once considered to have medicinal properties see bourtree, sambucus sense 2
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