Oregon grape

noun

Or·​e·​gon grape ˈȯr-i-gən- How to pronounce Oregon grape (audio)
ˈär-,
-ˌgän-
: an evergreen shrub (Berberis aquifolium) of the barberry family that has yellow flowers, bears edible bluish-black berries, and is native to western North America

Illustration of Oregon grape

Illustration of oregon grape

Examples of Oregon grape in a Sentence

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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.
Berberine is a natural compound called an alkaloid that’s extracted from a variety of plants, including goldenseal, European barberry, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric. — Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025 Mahonia aquifolium: Topical application of creams containing 10% Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) extract can relieve symptoms of mild to moderate psoriasis. — Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Oregon, state of the U.S.

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Oregon grape was in 1851

Rhymes for Oregon grape

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Browse Nearby Words

Oregon fir
Oregon grape
Oregon graperoot
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Cite this Entry

“Oregon grape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Oregon%20grape. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

Oregon grape

noun
Or·​e·​gon grape ˌȯr-i-gən-, ˌär-, -ˌgän- How to pronounce Oregon grape (audio)
: an evergreen shrub of the genus Mahonia (M. aquifolium) having a rhizome and roots from which various alkaloids (as berberine) are obtained

More from Merriam-Webster on Oregon grape

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Oregon grape

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