berry

1 of 2

noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

ˈbe-rē

plural berries

1

a

: a pulpy and usually edible fruit (such as a strawberry, raspberry, or checkerberry) of small size irrespective of its structure

b

: a simple fruit (such as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) with a pulpy or fleshy pericarp

c

: the dry seed of some plants (such as wheat)

2

: an egg of a fish or lobster

berry

2 of 2

verb

berried; berrying

intransitive verb

1

: to bear or produce berries

a berrying shrub

2

: to gather or seek berries

Examples of berry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Native Superfoods waffles or griddle cakes made with blue corn, quinoa, currants, piñon, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and triple berries are available all day. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

With the Iowa State victory, Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht was named MVP and given the task of choosing which of the three Pop-Tarts mascots — cinnamon roll, hot fudge sundae, or wild berry — would descend into the giant toaster and come out as a giant edible celebration cake. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 29 Dec. 2024

Available in nine vibrant shades—from a rich berry to a classic Chanel red—this balm imparts a sheer buttery tint to the lips and cheeks with ease. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

The note that really stands out to me here is dark fruit, with flavors like ripe berries, stone fruit, and red apple leading the charge. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English berye, from Old English berie; akin to Old High German beri berry

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing berry

• acai berry
• buffalo berry
• Christmas berry
• goji berry
• wheat berry

Kids Definition

berry

1 of 2 noun

ber·​ry ˈber-ē 

plural berries

1

: a small pulpy and usually edible fruit (as a strawberry or raspberry)

2

: a fruit (as a grape, blueberry, tomato, or cucumber) that develops from a single ovary and has the wall of the ripened ovary pulpy

3

: the dry seed of some plants (as coffee)

berrylike

-ē-ˌlīk

adjective

berry

2 of 2 verb

berried; berrying

1

: to bear or produce berries

2

: to gather or look for berries

go berrying

Geographical Definition

Berry

geographical name

Ber·​ry be-ˈrē 

former province of central France; capital Bourges