shrub
n. countablen. a woody plant that is smaller than a tree and has many stems growing from the ground. You might plant them in your garden to make a low wall or fence.
n. a woody perennial plant of relatively low height, distinguished from a tree by having several stems rather than a single trunk.
We planted a small shrub near the front door.
The gardener spent the afternoon pruning the evergreen shrubs to keep the hedge looking neat and tidy.
While trees provide the upper canopy, these hardy shrubs create a dense undergrowth that offers essential protection for nesting birds and small mammals during the winter months.
From Middle English schrub, schrob, (also unassibilated as scrub), from Old English *sċrob (in placenames) and sċrybb (“a shrub; shrubbery; underbrush”); akin to Norwegian skrubbe (“the dwarf cornel tree”).
From Arabic شِرَاب (širāb, “a drink, beverage”), شَرِبَ (šariba, “to drink”), akin to syrup, sherbet, and sorbet.
Of unknown origin. First attested in the 2000s. Chiefly used in respect to English or Swahili pronounced in a manner characteristic of another Kenyan language.
Often used interchangeably with 'bush' in non-technical contexts.