Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of cherry fruit: A dark, nearly black, sweet cherry fruit from certain cultivated trees (Prunus avium).
   • A type of cherry tree: A large North American wild tree (Prunus serotina) that produces clusters of small, round, dark fruit which are edible but often tart or bitter.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Fruit):
  • The recipe calls for black cherries, not the red sour variety.
  • She pitted a bowl of fresh black cherries for the pie.
• Noun (Tree):
  • The black cherry is a valuable timber tree in eastern forests.
  • Birds often eat the fruit from the black cherry.

Advanced Usage

• The term black cherry is often used to specify the fruit's color and variety in culinary and horticultural contexts, distinguishing it from lighter red or yellow cherries.
• In forestry and ecology, black cherry specifically refers to the native tree, noting its importance for wildlife and its wood.

Variants and Related Words

• Sweet cherry (): The species name for the cultivated tree that produces sweet black cherries.
• Wild black cherry / Rum cherry (): Alternative names for the North American tree, with "rum cherry" referring to a historical use of its flavor.
• Chokecherry (): A related North American species with similar fruit, typically more astringent.

Synonyms

• For the fruit: Dark sweet cherry, Bing cherry (a specific popular cultivar).
• For the tree: Wild cherry, Rum cherry, Mountain black cherry.

Related Phrases

• Black cherry wood: The hardwood from the tree, prized for furniture and cabinetry.
  • The cabinet was made from finely finished black cherry wood.
• Black cherry flavor: A common descriptor for a sweet, deep cherry taste and aroma, often used for foods, drinks, and candies.
  • The soda had a strong artificial black cherry flavor.

Noun

1. any of several fruits of cultivated cherry trees that have sweet flesh
2. large North American wild cherry with round black sour edible fruit