cottonwood

noun

cot·​ton·​wood ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce cottonwood (audio)
: any of several poplars having seeds with cottony hairs
especially : one (Populus deltoides) of the eastern and central U.S. often cultivated for its rapid growth and luxuriant foliage

Examples of cottonwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The state is home to 10 big game species that are found anywhere from the sprawling plains filled with sagebrush to the lush cottonwood river bottoms to the majestic Rockies. Jace Bauserman, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024 Tremendous mountains surge up around all of these lakes; visit in September and October for the chance to see the aspen and cottonwood leaves changing color. Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024 The signs of a rebounding ecosystem are readily visible among the willows and cottonwoods at the Dos Rios preserve. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 But Returning Rapids has brought scientists down Cataract, who find native plants returning, birds returning as shorelines emerge, beavers returning as willows and cottonwoods sprout on those shorelines. Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2024 Bald eagles in Ohio typically nest in large trees, such as sycamores, oaks and cottonwoods, so keep an eye out for those tree species on your quest. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 25 Jan. 2024 Over the past decade, the cottonwoods and willows that were planted have grown into a forest that teems with wildlife. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 Elk and the occasional moose wander the fields; cows rest beneath the cottonwoods that grow along winding creeks. Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023 This led to the loss of willow, cottonwood and aspen trees, streambank erosion, and the overall degradation of the ecosystem. Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cottonwood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottonwood was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near cottonwood

Cite this Entry

“Cottonwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottonwood. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cottonwood

noun
cot·​ton·​wood -ˌwu̇d How to pronounce cottonwood (audio)
: a poplar with a small bunch of cottony hairs on the seed
especially : one of the eastern and central U.S. that grows rapidly and produces many leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on cottonwood

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