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

Spring also beckons nature lovers, who can enjoy the redbud and dogwood trees in bloom. —Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

Some of DeLuca's favorite trees and shrubs for birds include dogwoods, willows, ninebarks, and elderberry. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 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

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