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

Flowering dogwood makes a superb lawn or understory tree and is also good for shading courtyards and patios. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026

Fall is cooler and quieter, and while the sequoias stay green year-round, other trees—like maples, dogwoods, and black oaks—start to transition into beautiful autumnal colors, especially in October. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

For autumn interest, try out plants with color-changing leaves, like viburnums, blueberries, and dogwood. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 15 Apr. 2026

Take in the azaleas and dogwoods without taking a pic that’s promptly (and perhaps obnoxiously) texted to every group chat. —Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 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