Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of tree or shrub: A plant belonging to the genus Cornus, often characterized by its hard wood and, in many species, by showy bracts (modified leaves) that resemble flowers and surround the small, true flower clusters.
   • The wood of this tree: The hard, tough timber obtained from a dogwood tree.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The dogwood in our garden blooms with beautiful white bracts every spring.
  • The craftsman preferred using dogwood for making tool handles because of its durability.

Advanced Usage

• "Flowering dogwood": A common name for specific ornamental species, particularly , prized for its showy spring display.
  • The flowering dogwood is the state tree of Virginia.
• "Dogwood winter": A colloquial term in some regions for a period of cold weather that coincides with the blooming of dogwood trees.
  • Don't plant your tomatoes until after dogwood winter has passed.

Variants and Related Words

• Cornelian cherry (): A species of dogwood cultivated for its edible fruit.
• Kousa dogwood (): An Asian species of dogwood known for its disease resistance and striking fruit.
• Dogwood berry: The fruit of some dogwood species.

Synonyms

• Cornel: Another common name for trees and shrubs of the genus .
• Boxwood (in reference to the wood's resemblance): While a different plant, the wood of some dogwoods is said to resemble boxwood.

Idioms and Phrases

• None directly featuring the word "dogwood" are common in standard English. The word is primarily used in botanical, horticultural, and woodworking contexts.

Noun

1. hard tough wood of any dogwood of the genus Cornus; resembles boxwood
2. a tree of shrub of the genus Cornus often having showy bracts resembling flowers