cottonwood

noun

cot·​ton·​wood ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌwu̇d 

: 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 big feathery cottonwoods along the ditches were just turning then, flaunting great masses of clear, bright yellow against the transparent blue of the southern Arizona sky. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025

Farther west, cottonwoods light up Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon all November long. —AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025

The forest surrounding the iconic craggy peaks of the park are scattered with aspens, cottonwoods, and willows, all of which turn different shades of yellow in September and October. —Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025

Golden aspens and glowing cottonwoods will soon take over Arizona's high country, drawing hikers and leaf-peepers to the mountains. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cottonwood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood
• maidenhood

Kids Definition

cottonwood

noun

cot·​ton·​wood -ˌwu̇d 

: 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