dogwood

[ dawg-wood, dog- ]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dogwood¹

First recorded in 1610–20; dog + wood ¹

Example Sentences

A Pacific Northwest forest planted with Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and larch underplanted with evergreen huckleberry, salal and ferns transitions to an open woodland of native dogwood trees, red twig dogwood and flowering red currant.

From Seattle Times

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

Baker notes that the lineage that led to blueberries, for instance, is the result of an ancient hybridization between dogwoods and the ancestors of coffee plants, daisies, and mints.

From Science Magazine

Azalea Way, a major path in the heart of the arboretum, guides walkers for three-quarters of a mile past cherry trees in addition to dogwoods, magnolias and glowing displays of azaleas.

From Seattle Times

This insect is not native to North America and is a pest of more than 130 species of plants including poplars, ash, beech, maple, willows, dogwood, cotoneaster and lilacs.

From Seattle Times