dog·wood / ˈdôgˌwoŏd/ • n. a shrub or small tree (genus Cornus, family Cornaceae) of north temperate regions that yields hard timber and is grown for its decorative foliage, red stems, and colorful berries. ∎  used in names of trees that resemble the dogwood or yield similar hard timber.

dogwood Any of several small trees and shrubs in the genus Cornus of the dogwood family (Cornaceae). Wild flowering dogwoods are found in deciduous forests. They have small flowers, enclosed by four large, petal-like, white bracts.