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
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.
Sweet currant rolls are complimentary (Nov. 20-24). —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024 Bright, medium deep ruby red; aromas of black cherry, currant, dried rose petals and cardamom. —Tom Hyland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 This is a fresh and tart rose with deeper red fruit such as last summer strawberries, currants but also laced with pink grapefruit and round flavors of guava and melon. —Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 The perfume opens with invigorating whiffs of black pepper and wild currant, which gives the Bulgarian rose and geranium in the heart notes a peppier edge. —Esther Newman, refinery29.com, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for currant 

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

Phrases Containing currant

Dictionary Entries Near currant

currance

currant

currant aphid

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Currant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currant. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of currant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about currant

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