often attributive
1
a
: shrub
especially
: a low densely branched shrub
b
: a close thicket of shrubs suggesting a single plant
2
: a large uncleared or sparsely settled area (as in Australia) usually scrub-covered or forested : wilderness
—usually used with the
3
a
archaic
: a bunch of ivy formerly hung outside a tavern to indicate wine for sale
b
obsolete
: tavern
c
: advertising
good wine needs no bush—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare4
: a bushy tuft or mass
a bush of hair
especially
: brush entry 2 sense 2a
5
: minor league
—usually used in plural
spent ten years in the bushes
bushed; bushing; bushes
: to support, mark, or protect with bushes
: to extend like a bush : resemble a bush
1
: having a low-growing compact bushy habit
—used especially of cultivated beans
bush snap beans
2
: serving, occurring in, or used in the bush
bush planes
: falling below acceptable standards : unprofessional
bush behavior
Examples of bush in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a guide who specializes in taking adventurous tourists through the bush
Adjective (2)
a hopelessly bush effort at creating a romantic comedy
Recent Examples on the Web
India Roby, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2025
Walking among about 20 of us, Kate proudly showed off the dazzling jewels on her ring finger, and William told me about his paranoia about losing the priceless item in the African bush.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
There was an incredible offering of eye-catching knitwear from alpaca to bushed wools in unique styles with ribbed to intricate patterns seen at Thom Browne, Dries Van Noten and Barena.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Amy Schulman, PEOPLE.com, 10 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for bush
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Among the recent renovations are a number of bushes added to fill out the front yard as well as a handful of mature olive trees, which now line the front entrance path.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2025
Walking among about 20 of us, Kate proudly showed off the dazzling jewels on her ring finger, and William told me about his paranoia about losing the priceless item in the African bush.
—Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Prepare to be blown away by DirectX 12 Ultimate’s lifelike graphics, which bush the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming.
—Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
There was an incredible offering of eye-catching knitwear from alpaca to bushed wools in unique styles with ribbed to intricate patterns seen at Thom Browne, Dries Van Noten and Barena.
—Rhonda Richford, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The handy device is designed with a tri-bush system, complete with side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll that work in tandem to pick up all the dirt, hair, and dander scattered around the house.
—Amy Schulman, PEOPLE.com, 10 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for bush
Cite this Entry
“Bush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bush. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationBiographical Definition
Bush 1 of 3
biographical name (1)
George (Herbert Walker) 1924–2018 American politician; vice president of the U.S. (1981–89); 41st president of the U.S. (1989–93)
Bush
2 of 3biographical name (2)
George W(alker) 1946– son of George H. W. Bush American politician; 43rd president of the U.S. (2001–09)
Bush
3 of 3biographical name (3)
Van*ne*var
və-ˈnē-vər 
1890–1974 American electrical engineer
1890–1974 American electrical engineer
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