currant

noun

cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce currant (audio)
ˈkə-rənt
1
: a small seedless raisin originally grown chiefly in the eastern Mediterranean
2
: the acid edible fruit of various shrubs (genus Ribes) placed in either the saxifrage or gooseberry family
also : a plant bearing currants

Examples of currant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other possibilities: star fruit, kiwi berries and fresh currants from the farmers market. Becky Krystal, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 The Pop-Tarts officially launched in Cleveland, Ohio in 1964 with four flavors: strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple currant. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2024 Smaller varieties, such as raisins, cranberries and currants, won’t need much done to them. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 28 Nov. 2023 This includes chocolate and chocolate-based products, onions, leeks, garlic, chives, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes, currants, products sweetened with xylitol, alcoholic beverages, and unbaked bread dough. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2023 The concrete lends a grippy texture without heavy flavorings of oak, allowing the blackberry and currant flavors to shine. Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023 It's filled with your favorite holiday flavors—currants, pecans, apricots, dates, cherries, and ginger. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2023 For a colorful presentation, garnish with kumquats, currants, and fresh mint sprigs. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2023 Flowering currant is a native, but doesn’t grow well in every garden situation. oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'currant.' 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

back-formation from earlier corawnce, currantes, ellipsis from Middle English reysouns of corans, borrowed from Anglo-French raisins de Curance "raisins of Corinth," from Corinth, Greece

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near currant

Cite this Entry

“Currant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currant. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

currant

noun
cur·​rant ˈkər-ənt How to pronounce currant (audio)
ˈkə-rənt
1
: a small seedless raisin used in baking and cooking
2
: the acid edible fruit of several shrubs related to the gooseberries
also : a plant bearing currants
Etymology

from Middle English raison of Coraunte, literally, "raisin of Corinth," from Corinth, city in Greece from which it was exported

More from Merriam-Webster on currant

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!