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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of dogwood

First recorded in 1610–20; dog + wood ¹

Example Sentences

I’m the one who punted it into the dogwood tree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

As perhaps the largest and most magnificent example of her kind in the greater Lake Forest Park area, I truly hope that this mighty dogwood will persevere long after I am gone.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

Hineline argued that writing down seasonal milestones can reduce the oppressive feeling of unease you get when you see the dogwood trees putting out flowers before Easter.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2024

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

It was right there, waiting for me to come lie on soft green grass under a dogwood tree, in the shade.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles