barberry

noun

bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē How to pronounce barberry (audio)
-ˌbe-rē
: any of a genus (Berberis of the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family) of shrubs usually having spines, usually yellow flowers, and oblong red or blackish berries

Examples of barberry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Chunks of meat, carrot matchsticks, barberries and plump chickpeas glisten amid the rice, and each bite is a hearty reminder of comfort at its finest. Devorah Lev-Tov, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2023 For example, Japanese barberry can be dispersed rampantly, both by seeds and by wandering branches that anchor into the soil. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023 This October 2006 photo the University of Connecticut released shows Euonymus alatus shrubs known as burning bushes in Storrs, Conn.Yi Li/Associated Press Snow surrounds a Japanese barberry on the grounds of the Coastal Rivers Nature Center in Damariscotta, Maine, in February. Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023 Black walnut, hawthorn or barberry make for a prickly, foreboding atmosphere. Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2023 Japanese barberry forms dense thickets, which limit the amount of light reaching the forest floor and impact forest regeneration, according to the DNR. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2023 Berberine is a natural ingredient found in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023 Although barberry has relatively shallow roots, eradicating mature plants will require considerable muscle. Tovah Martin, Washington Post, 9 Aug. 2023 Berberine is a chemical that’s found in plants and fruit, like barberries. Ned Doyle, Robb Report, 19 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barberry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English berberie, from Medieval Latin berberis, from Arabic barbārīs

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barberry was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near barberry

Cite this Entry

“Barberry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barberry. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

barberry

noun
bar·​ber·​ry ˈbär-ˌber-ē How to pronounce barberry (audio)
: any of a genus of spiny yellow-flowered shrubs with bright red or blackish berries

Medical Definition

barberry

noun
bar·​ber·​ry
ˈbär-ˌber-ē, British often & US sometimes -b(ə-)rē
plural barberries
1
: any shrub of the genus Berberis
2
a
: an evergreen shrub of the genus Mahonia (especially M. aquifolium)

More from Merriam-Webster on barberry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!