wintergreen

noun

win·​ter·​green ˈwin-tər-ˌgrēn How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Pyrola of the family Ericaceae, the heath family) of evergreen perennial herbs (such as the shinleafs) that have basal leaves and racemose flowers
2
a
: any of a genus (Gaultheria) of evergreen plants of the heath family
especially : a low creeping evergreen shrub (G. procumbens) of North America with white flowers and spicy red berries compare checkerberry
b(1)
: an essential oil from this plant
(2)
: the flavor of this oil
wintergreen lozenges

Examples of wintergreen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The handmade cube contains all-natural menthol, wintergreen, and camphor. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2024 Cinnamon, clove, lemongrass, cassia, black pepper, and wintergreen all have the potential to irritate skin as well. Condé Nast, Allure, 5 Apr. 2018 These pouches come in popular flavors like wintergreen and cinnamon and are generally attractive to younger people who don’t understand the risks of nicotine. Maggie O'Neill, Health, 28 Nov. 2023 This spot-on flea treatment for dogs is made with all-natural ingredients, such as geraniol and wintergreen oil, which work together to repel fleas, ticks, and even mosquitoes. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for wintergreen 

Word History

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wintergreen was in 1525

Dictionary Entries Near wintergreen

Cite this Entry

“Wintergreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wintergreen. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wintergreen

noun
win·​ter·​green ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
1
a
: a low evergreen plant of the heath family with white bell-shaped flowers and spicy red berries

called also checkerberry

b
: an oil from the wintergreen or its flavor
2
: any of several plants related to the wintergreen

Medical Definition

wintergreen

noun
win·​ter·​green ˈwint-ər-ˌgrēn How to pronounce wintergreen (audio)
1
: any plant of the genus Gaultheria
especially : a low evergreen plant (G. procumbens) with white flowers and spicy red berries
2

More from Merriam-Webster on wintergreen

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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