bird cherry

7.9

A small wild cherry tree with red or black fruit that birds often eat

noun

: cerezo silvestre

Ripe fruits from the bird cherry provide an important food source for migratory birds.

Examples

The bird cherry blooms in late spring, attracting many species of birds to the garden.
Many gardens feature the bird cherry because of its ornamental flowers and wildlife appeal.
The bird cherry tree blossoms in spring.
Many bird cherries grow in the forest.
Ripe fruits from the bird cherry provide an important food source for migratory birds.
Many gardens feature the bird cherry because of its ornamental flowers and wildlife appeal.
The bird cherry blooms in late spring, attracting many species of birds to the garden.

Synonyms

cherry

vsbird cherry

26 1.0

A tree or shrub that makes small round fruit with one hard stone

is the narrower wild tree type noted for small dark fruits

cherry tree

vsbird cherry

8 1.0

A tree or shrub that grows small round fruit with one hard stone

is a specific wild species within that broader fruit tree group

wild cherry tree

vsbird cherry

1 2.9

A small tree that grows in the wild and produces cherries

is a specific type of that wild fruit tree with small dark fruit

Prunus padus

vsbird cherry

Specialized

9.9

A small European tree with clusters of sweet-smelling white flowers and small bitter black cherries

is the general small wild fruit tree often eaten by wildlife

bird cherry tree

vsbird cherry

7.2

A small cherry tree with small berries that birds eat

is the standard dictionary name rather than a descriptive phrase

European bird cherry

vsbird cherry

7.9

A small European tree that has groups of white flowers and small black fruit

is the broader small wild fruit tree found in various regions

common bird cherry

vsbird cherry

9.2

A small European tree with clusters of sweet-smelling white flowers and black fruit eaten by birds

is the wider term for the same kind of small wild fruit tree

hagberry

vsbird cherry

Archaic

9.9

A small wild tree with dark cherries that birds eat

is the more general species name rather than a local or folk name

wild cherry

vsbird cherry

4.0

A small tree that grows naturally and the small tart fruit it makes

is a particular small wild fruit tree often identified by its flowers

Surface Forms

bird cherry singular

bird cherries plural

Morphology

bird + cherry

The meaning of 'bird cherry' is directly derivable from the constituents: it denotes a type of cherry/tree associated with birds (fruit often eaten by birds). This is a transparent noun–noun compounding pattern common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows 'bird' and 'cherry' would readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Bird cherry comes from the simple image of a small tree whose cherries are often eaten by birds. That's why the name now means a wild cherry tree with small fruit.