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Definition of buttonbush
buttonbush
/ˈbʌt.ənˌbʊʃ/
but · ton · bush
Plural:buttonbushes
buttonbush Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
10
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
buttonbush Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
North American A deciduous wetland shrub (Cephalanthus occidentalis) native to North America, belonging to the madder family and characterized by its unique, perfectly spherical clusters of tiny white flowers that resemble small pincushions or buttons.
Example
"We planted a buttonbush near the edge of the pond to help stabilize the soil and attract butterflies to the garden."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originates in American English from the late 18th century, formed as a compound of 'button' and 'bush', referring directly to the plant's distinctive, perfectly spherical, button-like flower heads.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Buttonbush. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/buttonbush