shrub

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈshrəb 

 especially Southern  ˈsrəb

: a low usually several-stemmed woody plant

shrub-like adjective

or shrublike

ˈshrəb-ˌlīk 

 especially Southern  ˈsrəb-

shrub-like plants

shrub

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: an aged blend of fruit juice, sugar, and spirits served chilled and diluted with water

2

: a beverage made by adding acidulated fruit juice to iced water

Examples of shrub in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Such slides can be more common in winter when plants and shrubs are dormant. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025

Then, prune overgrown trees and shrubs, trim tall grasses and weedy areas, mow regularly to keep your lawn cut close, and consider calling a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025

At least two places to find shelter, like a rock pile, dense shrubs, brush, or a log pile. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

The best time to prune most of our deciduous trees and shrubs is late winter. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English schrobbe, from Old English scrybb brushwood; akin to Norwegian skrubbebær, a cornel of a dwarf species

Noun (2)

Arabic sharāb beverage

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shrub

noun

ˈshrəb

: a woody plant that has several stems and is smaller than most trees