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Definition of jackalberry
jackalberry
/ˈdʒæk.əlˌbɛr.i/
jack · al · ber · ry
Plural:jackalberries
jackalberry Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
African A large, deciduous African savanna tree (Diospyros mespiliformis) characterized by its dark, rough bark, often found growing on termite mounds and providing dense shade.
Example
"During our safari in the Okavango Delta, we spotted a leopard resting on the thick horizontal branch of a massive jackalberry."
2
African The small, oval, edible fruit produced by the jackalberry tree, which ripens to a yellowish-green and is consumed by various animals and local human populations.
Example
"Local communities often harvest the sweet jackalberry during the dry season to dry and store the fruit for later use."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for jackalberry• Rhymes for jackalberry
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'jackal' and 'berry', named because the fallen fruits of this African tree are a favorite food source for wild jackals.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Jackalberry. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/jackalberry