shrub

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈshrəb How to pronounce shrub (audio)
especially Southern ˈsrəb
: a low usually several-stemmed woody plant
shrub-like adjective
or shrublike
ˈshrəb-ˌlīk How to pronounce shrub (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The rolling land changed from young poplar on the slopes to maturing hardwoods over clumps of fruiting shrubs in the low areas. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 The key note is lentisque, a shrub that is native to the Mediterranean and elevated by the delightful sweetness of mandarin. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Aug. 2026 According to the brand, the sparkling vinegar tonic is inspired by the switchels and shrubs made by Barbadian field workers in the 1600s. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 Depending on their design, these roofs can support everything from low-growing sedums to shrubs and trees. — Taylor Wishart, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrub

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrub was before the 12th century

Rhymes for shrub

See All Rhymes for shrub

Browse Nearby Words

Shrove Tuesday
shrub
shrubbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrub. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrub

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

More from Merriam-Webster on shrub

Nglish: Translation of shrub for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shrub

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