Shrub: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in gardening and landscaping to refer to a small to medium-sized woody plant.

• The gardener planted a variety of shrubs to create a colorful border
• The butterfly was resting on the shrub

Often used in more informal contexts to refer to a dense, low plant that might grow naturally, and can also imply wild or untamed growth.

• The children were hiding in the bushes
• The wild berries on the bush are not safe to eat

A formal term used to describe an area planted with shrubs, often used to talk about landscape design or to describe a feature of a garden.

• The estate's beautiful shrubbery attracted many visitors
• The new park includes a well-maintained shrubbery

The plural of 'bush', commonly used when referring to several of these plants, particularly in an informal or natural setting.

• We couldn't see the rabbit because it was hidden among the bushes
• Let's trim the bushes in the backyard this weekend