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
Move to a clean cotton ball as the grass stain transfers.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Simply dissolve one part sugar into four parts water and dip a cotton ball or clean sponge into the mixture, allowing the cotton ball to absorb the solution, says Zaber.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
My must is the cotton ball jar—a veiled storage option is always best, in this messy writer’s opinion.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Cumulus clouds cotton ball across the sky and cast patchy shade.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Using a cotton ball or rag, apply rubbing alcohol on the headboard and any wooden or metal parts of the bed frame.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Come show time, the steer is fluffy as a cotton ball and ready for a(u)ction.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
The little cotton ball sheep are so fun and the colors punch you in the face.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
The sensors are sensitive enough to detect something as light as a cotton ball landing on the hand.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 June 2026
Simply dissolve one part sugar into four parts water and dip a cotton ball or clean sponge into the mixture, allowing the cotton ball to absorb the solution, says Zaber.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026
My must is the cotton ball jar—a veiled storage option is always best, in this messy writer’s opinion.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Cumulus clouds cotton ball across the sky and cast patchy shade.
—Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Using a cotton ball or rag, apply rubbing alcohol on the headboard and any wooden or metal parts of the bed frame.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Come show time, the steer is fluffy as a cotton ball and ready for a(u)ction.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
The little cotton ball sheep are so fun and the colors punch you in the face.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
The sensors are sensitive enough to detect something as light as a cotton ball landing on the hand.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cotton ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton%20ball. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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