currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

: a small seedless raisin originally grown chiefly in the eastern Mediterranean

2

: the acid edible fruit of various shrubs (genus Ribes) placed in either the saxifrage or gooseberry family

also : a plant bearing currants

Examples of currant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This deluxe blend of coconut, jojoba and avocado oils goes on smoothly, filling the air with white tea, white currant, rose, geranium, musk and cedarwood notes. —Catherine Garcia, theweek, 1 May 2024

Mixing currants into flour prevents sinking during baking. —Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 13 Apr. 2024

Serrano, director of the Audubon Center at Debs Park, another urban oasis, explained that the berms would funnel water to the mule fat, black sage, golden currant, sycamore trees and other native foliage the least Bell’s vireo needs to thrive. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

The following year, Kellogg immediately sold out of the four original flavors—strawberry, blueberry, apple currant, and brown sugar cinnamon. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from earlier corawnce, currantes, ellipsis from Middle English reysouns of corans, borrowed from Anglo-French raisins de Curance "raisins of Corinth," from Corinth, Greece

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing currant

• black currant
• red currant

Kids Definition

currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt 

ˈkə-rənt

1

: a small seedless raisin used in baking and cooking

2

: the acid edible fruit of several shrubs related to the gooseberries

also : a plant bearing currants

Etymology

from Middle English raison of Coraunte, literally, "raisin of Corinth," from Corinth, city in Greece from which it was exported