dogwood

noun

dog·​wood ˈdȯg-ˌwu̇d 

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Cornus of the family Cornaceae, the dogwood family) with clusters of small flowers and often large white, pink, or red involucral bracts

Examples of dogwood in a Sentence

The furniture is made of dogwood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some ideas for shrubs that grow in the shade: Azalea, camellia, dogwood, holly, hydrangea, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and yew, not me. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Spring is the time for magnolias, daffodils, dogwoods, and such. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

The property’s name comes from abundant tiger lilies, which share space with hydrangeas, rhododendrons and Kousa dogwoods on the spacious grounds. —Mary Forgione, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

Pair a large azalea with a flowering tree such as dogwood, crape myrtle, redbud, or serviceberry. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dogwood

• flowering dogwood

Rhymes for dogwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• driftwood
• falsehood

Kids Definition

dogwood

noun

dog·​wood ˈdȯg-ˌwu̇d 

: any of various trees and shrubs having clusters of small flowers often surrounded by four showy leaves that look like petals

Medical Definition

dogwood

noun

dog·​wood ˈdȯ-ˌgwu̇d 

: any tree or shrub of the genus Cornus