dogwood

American  

[dawg-wood, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌwʊd, ˈdɒg- /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the genus Cornus, especially C. sanguinea, of Europe, or C. florida, of America.

2. the wood of any such tree.

3. a light to medium brown or a medium yellowish-brown color.

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adjective

1. having the color dogwood.

dogwood British  

/ ˈdɒɡˌwʊd /

noun

1. any of various cornaceous trees or shrubs of the genus Cornus , esp C. sanguinea, a European shrub with clusters of small white flowers and black berries: the shoots are red in winter

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Etymology

Origin of dogwood

First recorded in 1610–20; dog + wood ¹

Example Sentences

The football is where you left it at the end of last year’s Thanksgiving Family Touch Football Game, which is stuck at the top of your neighbor’s dogwood tree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

And how, in the very same way, the oil-slick sheen of a June Bug wing may reveal its unseen spectra only against the brief-blooming dogwood in just the right season of sun.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2023

The goal was to reduce dead and downed vegetation, slow the regeneration of Pacific dogwood and expose patches of mineral soil where sequoia seedlings could take root, according to an incident action plan.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2023

As spring rolls around, the dogwood flushes with blushing green foliage, and color interest shifts to new growth on the heathers followed by late summer blooms.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 31, 2022

When we got home, me and Wishbone went out front and sat in the shade of the dogwood tree.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor