juniper

noun

ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər How to pronounce juniper (audio)
1
a
: any of numerous shrubs or trees (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family with leaves resembling needles or scales and female cones usually resembling berries
b
: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper
especially : the bluish one of a common juniper (J. communis) which is used to flavor foods and from which is obtained an acrid essential oil used especially as a flavoring in gin and liqueurs

called also juniper berry

2
: any of several coniferous trees resembling true junipers

Examples of juniper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Compared to the desolate, almost alien landscape of South Dakota, the North Dakota badlands are flush with vibrant vegetation: Rocky Mountain juniper woodlands, cottonwoods that thrive in the Little Missouri River basin, and sunflowers, asters, and rabbitbrush that bloom in the late summer months. Erica Zazo, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2025 Since the property changed hands, its sole restaurant, 18 Restaurant & Bar, has become more markedly gourmet with fare like scallops dusted with seaweed crumbs, smoked trout under cucumber and vermouth relish, and venison enlivened by juniper jus and pickled berries. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024 The Ekster Parliament Wallet is a dinky leather wallet that comes in various colors (mine is juniper green). Simon Hill, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024 Herbal and citrus led with prominent juniper aromas. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for juniper 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English junipere, from Latin juniperus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near juniper

Cite this Entry

“Juniper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juniper. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

juniper

noun
ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər How to pronounce juniper (audio)
1
a
: any of numerous evergreen shrubs and trees that are related to the pines but produce female cones resembling berries
b
: the berrylike cone or fruit of a juniper
2
: any of various evergreen trees resembling true junipers

Medical Definition

juniper

noun
ju·​ni·​per ˈjü-nə-pər How to pronounce juniper (audio)
: an evergreen shrub or tree (genus Juniperus) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae)
especially : one having a prostrate or shrubby habit (as Juniperus communis)

More from Merriam-Webster on juniper

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