cotton ball
noun
US
: a small ball of cotton that can be used for a variety of purposes (such as removing makeup or cleaning a wound) and that is usually used once and then thrown away
a bag of cotton balls
Examples of cotton ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Or dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide to wipe down the surfaces.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The road eventually crests the hill and, after a long flat stretch, we’re treated to half-mile views of lazy, cotton ball clouds drifting over 4,000-ish-foot peaks in the George Washington National Forest’s Three Ridges Wilderness Area.
—Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil on an absorbent material, such as a cotton ball, tissue, or pillowcase.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Use a cotton ball damped with rubbing alcohol and rub over the area.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Clean your straightener, curling iron A cotton ball or swab dipped in rubbing alcohol is the easiest way to clean a flat iron or curling iron.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
To prevent color from bleeding, prop each piece up away from your head with a cotton ball.
—Maureen Choi, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Hairstylist and owner of Salon PK Pekela Riley suggests dipping a Q-tip or cotton ball into an apple cider vinegar rinse, then lightly dabbing it on affected areas to dissolve buildup and soothe the itchies.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025
Help your child learn with fun nose blowing games like cotton ball races and underwater bubbles.
—Aleksandra Weber, Parents, 12 June 2025
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
The road eventually crests the hill and, after a long flat stretch, we’re treated to half-mile views of lazy, cotton ball clouds drifting over 4,000-ish-foot peaks in the George Washington National Forest’s Three Ridges Wilderness Area.
—Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil on an absorbent material, such as a cotton ball, tissue, or pillowcase.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2025
Use a cotton ball damped with rubbing alcohol and rub over the area.
—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Clean your straightener, curling iron A cotton ball or swab dipped in rubbing alcohol is the easiest way to clean a flat iron or curling iron.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
To prevent color from bleeding, prop each piece up away from your head with a cotton ball.
—Maureen Choi, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Hairstylist and owner of Salon PK Pekela Riley suggests dipping a Q-tip or cotton ball into an apple cider vinegar rinse, then lightly dabbing it on affected areas to dissolve buildup and soothe the itchies.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 24 June 2025
Help your child learn with fun nose blowing games like cotton ball races and underwater bubbles.
—Aleksandra Weber, Parents, 12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cotton ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton%20ball. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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