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

Washington State birds gobbled buttercup, black cottonwood, gooseberries and blackberries in that order. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

The three cottonwood trees stood in Lochiel, Arizona, for more than a century, said Erick Meza, a border program coordinator in the state for the Sierra Club. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

There’s a lot to like about towering Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides). — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

This region is particularly beautiful in the fall, when the leaves of willow, cottonwood, and aspen trees change color. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026

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