Illustration of copperhead
- copperhead 1
copperhead
noun
cop·per·head
ˈkä-pər-ˌhed 
plural copperheads
1
: a common pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usually having a copper-colored head and often a reddish-brown hourglass pattern on the body
2
disapproving
: a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War
Examples of copperhead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
North Carolina is perhaps better associated with copperheads, but the state is also home to rattlesnakes.
—
Eva Flowe
june 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
The most common snake Kansas Citians may encounter are copperheads.
—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Photo courtesy of Zachary Gellner Venom risk low but still serious
While the copperhead is a pit viper, its venom isn't considered the most poisonous.
—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
The copperhead snake is the most common and prevalent venomous snake in the state, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's website.
—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for copperhead
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Eva Flowe
june 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2026
The most common snake Kansas Citians may encounter are copperheads.
—
Sophie Lindberg,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Photo courtesy of Zachary Gellner Venom risk low but still serious
While the copperhead is a pit viper, its venom isn't considered the most poisonous.
—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
The copperhead snake is the most common and prevalent venomous snake in the state, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's website.
—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for copperhead
Cite this Entry
“Copperhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copperhead. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
copperhead
noun
cop·per·head
ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed
1
: a common largely coppery brown poisonous snake of the pit viper family that occurs in the eastern and central U.S.
2
: a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War
Medical Definition
copperhead
noun
cop·per·head
ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed
1
: a pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) widely distributed in upland areas of the eastern and central United States that typically attains a length of three feet (0.9 meter), is coppery brown above with dark transverse blotches, and is capable of inflicting a very painful but rarely fatal bite
2
: a very venomous but sluggish Australian elapid snake (Austrelaps superbus)
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