copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ ˈkä-pər-ˌhed

plural copperheads

Definition of copperhead

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 His uncle quickly dispatched the copperhead with a pair of gardening shears and rushed Daniel to an emergency room in Houston. — Priscilla Aguirre, Chron, 14 June 2022 An average adult copperhead grows to 24 to 40 inches. — Mandi Albright, ajc, 26 Apr. 2022 That’s several inches longer than the average copperhead in Alabama, experts say. — al, 30 June 2021 Those two decisions likely saved his life, as a herpetologist was able to confirm through the photo that Murray was actually bitten by a copperhead snake, according to WPVI. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 12 Aug. 2021 The message was accompanied by a video showing a copperhead snake going across the street in Cherokee, located in Colbert County. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Aug. 2021 Named for their copper-red heads, the copperhead is a medium-sized snake that is commonly found in North America, from southern New England to West Texas and northern Mexico, LiveScience reported. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 12 Aug. 2021 The copperhead is seen biting the kingsnake multiple times, with no impact. — al, 30 June 2021 The June 4 post says venomous snakes, such as the copperhead, swim in water with their entire bodies visible on the surface, while non-venomous water snakes submerge most of their bodies and keep only their heads above water. — Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 10 June 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'copperhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near copperhead

copper green

copperhead

copperheadism

Statistics for copperhead

Last Updated

19 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Copperhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copperhead. Accessed 2 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for copperhead

copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ ˈkä-pər-ˌhed

Kids Definition of copperhead

: a poisonous snake of the eastern and central United States with a reddish brown head

copperhead

noun

cop·per·head | \ ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed

Medical Definition of copperhead

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 of the genus Denisonia (D. superba)