shrub

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈshrəb 

especially Southern ˈsrəb

: a low usually several-stemmed woody plant

shrub-like adjective

or shrublike

ˈshrəb-ˌlīk 

especially Southern ˈsrəb-

shrub-like plants

shrub

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: an aged blend of fruit juice, sugar, and spirits served chilled and diluted with water

2

: a beverage made by adding acidulated fruit juice to iced water

Examples of shrub in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Waroquier also prefers a natural barrier if possible and suggests surrounding the unit with tall grasses or low-maintenance shrubs like the arborvitae. —Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 15 June 2026

Soaker hoses are also a good way to slowly water new vegetable gardens and perennial beds, as well as trees and shrubs. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026

Today, many residents — who may have previously complained about the smoky air — understand the benefits of fighting wildfires with fire by burning off palmettos, shrubs and other flammable vegetation. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

These terraces can be used to grow shrubs, vegetables, and flowers. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English schrobbe, from Old English scrybb brushwood; akin to Norwegian skrubbebær, a cornel of a dwarf species

Noun (2)

Arabic sharāb beverage

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shrub

• bub
• club
• cub
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• scrub
• snub
• stub

Kids Definition

shrub

noun

ˈshrəb

: a woody plant that has several stems and is smaller than most trees