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

Berry-producing plants like holly, dogwood, serviceberry, elderberry, and juniper are especially appealing during colder months when worms and insects are harder to find. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 May 2026

Gardeners can struggle with fungal infestations on plants ranging from tomatoes to dogwood trees. —David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 May 2026

Catbirds build nests on horizontal branches hidden in dense shrubs, small trees or vines, including dogwood, elderberry, hawthorn and honeysuckle. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Outside, the garden was elevated by replacing traditional English boxwood hedges with new plantings, including dogwood trees, and creating multiple outdoor spaces for dining and lounging. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 May 2026

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