cottonmouth

noun

cot·​ton·​mouth ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌmau̇th How to pronounce cottonmouth (audio)

Examples of cottonmouth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The University of Kentucky says the main types of venomous snakes found in the commonwealth are copperheads, pigmy rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes and western cottonmouths. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Aug. 2025 Tennessee's other venomous snakes are copperheads and cottonmouths. Kirsten Fiscus, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 Tennessee's other venomous snakes are copperheads and cottonmouths. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025 But native predators may be starting to fight back, according to researchers who have documented cases of alligators, cottonmouth snakes and bobcats killing Burmese pythons. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cottonmouth

Word History

Etymology

from the white interior of its mouth

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottonmouth was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Cottonmouth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottonmouth. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cottonmouth

noun
cot·​ton·​mouth ˈkät-ᵊn-ˌmau̇th How to pronounce cottonmouth (audio)

Medical Definition

cottonmouth

noun
cot·​ton·​mouth ˈkät-ᵊn-ˌmau̇th How to pronounce cottonmouth (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on cottonmouth

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