bush

Bush is a common term with several related meanings. In botany and horticulture, a bush refers to a shrub or a small woody plant, typically with multiple stems and a rounded growth habit. The word also describes dense, wild scrubland or brush in various climates. In Africa and Australia, the phrase the bush denotes rural, natural landscapes that can range from scrubby thickets to open country.

As a surname, Bush is of English origin. Several notable people bear the name, including Prescott Bush, a United States senator and father of George H. W. Bush. George H. W. Bush served as the 41st president of the United States, and his son, George W. Bush, was the 43rd president. Other family members have held public office, such as Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, and Barbara Bush and Laura Bush, who were prominent as First Ladies. Members of the broader Bush family have been involved in business and philanthropy as well. The surname is also found in arts and culture, for example Kate Bush, a British singer-songwriter.

The term bush also appears in geography and culture beyond people. It is used in place names and, in various English-speaking regions, to describe rural or wild areas outside urban centers. The usage is context-dependent and typically neutral, reflecting either natural landscapes, ancestry, or cultural associations related to the word itself.