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

There’s much to love about cottonwood trees and their rightful place in our natural environment, such as along the Des Plaines River at Ryerson, Wright and Half Day Woods in Lake County. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Despite his complicated feelings about the reservoir itself, his favorite cottonwood in the hundreds of miles of canyons he’s traversed is on the main body of water, near a kink in the canyon known as the Rincón. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

At Elkhorn Ranch, the foundation of Roosevelt's cabin lies peacefully under tall cottonwoods. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026

McCamish pointed to a nearby stand of cottonwood trees rustling in the wind. —Los Angeles Times, 17 May 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