1
usually bur
a
: a rough or prickly envelope of a fruit
b
: a plant that bears burs
2
a
: something that sticks or clings
a burr in the throat
b
3
: an irregular rounded mass
especially
: a tree burl
4
: a thin ridge or area of roughness produced in cutting or shaping metal
5
a
: a trilled uvular \r\ as used by some speakers of English especially in northern England and in Scotland
b
: a tongue-point trill that is the usual Scottish \r\
6
a
: a small rotary cutting tool
b
usually bur
: a bit used on a dental drill
7
: a rough humming sound : whir
burred; burring; burrs
1
: to pronounce with a burr
2
a
: to form into a projecting edge
b
: to remove burrs from
burrer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of burr in a Sentence
Noun
a tool that can cut through steel leaving a smooth edge and no burrs
heard the burr of a distant engine
Verb
the pitch burred past the batter's ear
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Caputo, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Never wash the burr of your coffee grinder in water.
—Gemma Johnstone, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2024
Instead of going all Edward Scissorhands on your beans, a burr grinder breaks them down into a consistent, sandy pile by methodically rotating them against an abrasive surface, resulting in a better ground coffee and ultimately, a better cup of coffee.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2024
For those that aren’t aware, burl (also known as burr) is the result of a deformity that typically appears on the trunk or branch of a tree when it’s stressed from an injury or infection—the knots are just bud tissue that hasn’t sprouted into foliage or blossomed into a beautiful twig.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for burr 
Noun
The cabinet’s polished burr walnut and stained glass design are inspired by the original art-deco interiors of Gleneagles and the vintage elegance of early train carriages.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Never wash the burr of your coffee grinder in water.
—Gemma Johnstone, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2024
Instead of going all Edward Scissorhands on your beans, a burr grinder breaks them down into a consistent, sandy pile by methodically rotating them against an abrasive surface, resulting in a better ground coffee and ultimately, a better cup of coffee.
—Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 17 July 2024
For those that aren’t aware, burl (also known as burr) is the result of a deformity that typically appears on the trunk or branch of a tree when it’s stressed from an injury or infection—the knots are just bud tissue that hasn’t sprouted into foliage or blossomed into a beautiful twig.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for burr
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'burr.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near burr
Cite this Entry
“Burr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burr. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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