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 : a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War
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Recent Examples of copperhead from the Web
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Copperheads are common to the eastern and central United States.
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During summer, copperheads are active at night and early in the morning, feasting on frogs, cicadas and rodents.
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Everyone knows this venomous snake, the copperhead.
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Approximately 37 snake species can be found in North Carolina, but only six are venomous, and of those six, the copperhead is the only species widely distributed throughout the state.
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Venomous copperheads have been in the news for biting humans –
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People were pretty freaked out by this insane level of camouflage, especially since the snake was a copperhead, which are extremely venomous.
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So while king snakes, pine snakes, and rat snakes do their wrestling on the ground, the cottonmouth and copperhead in the video can be seen rearing up into the air.
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.
Illustration of copperhead
First Known Use of copperhead
1775
COPPERHEAD Defined for English Language Learners
copperhead
playDefinition of copperhead for English Language Learners
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: a poisonous reddish-brown snake of the eastern and central U.S.
COPPERHEAD Defined for Kids
copperhead
playDefinition of copperhead for Students
: a poisonous snake of the eastern and central United States with a reddish brown head
Medical Dictionary
copperhead
playMedical 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)
Learn More about copperhead
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See words that rhyme with copperhead Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about copperhead
Seen and Heard
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