cottontail
noun
cot·ton·tail
ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌtāl 
: any of several rather small North American rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) sandy to grayish brown in color with a white-tufted underside of the tail
Examples of cottontail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In another statement, Wilton Manors Police Chief Gary Blocker reiterated the city’s commitment to treating the cuddly cottontails with gentle hands.
—
Antonio Planas, NBC News, 19 July 2023
Thompson attributes the greater rabbit presence to development around Boston that may be reducing the amount of green space available to the cottontails for foraging.
—Alex Koller, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
But Lizzy Caplan, who plays Alex in the series version on Paramount+, says her character’s actions are far worse than cooking cottontails.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 May 2023
The same study found that marsh and cottontail rabbits and foxes had disappeared from the area.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023
Recently, Estrella has spotted opossums, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, deer and, of course, many birds.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
The American robin is among a handful of wildlife species, including the house sparrow, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit and coyote, able to thrive in a variety of habitats.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
From the archeology museum, visitors can stroll the Chihuahuan Desert Garden & Nature Trails, where desert cottontails play hide-and-seek among the cholla cactuses and creosote bush.
—Andrea Sachs, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Apr. 2023
With burlap ears and a bow, and a white faux hydrangea cottontail, the festive wreath combines seasonal materials to make a whimsical bunny.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
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Antonio Planas, NBC News, 19 July 2023
Thompson attributes the greater rabbit presence to development around Boston that may be reducing the amount of green space available to the cottontails for foraging.
—Alex Koller, BostonGlobe.com, 15 June 2023
But Lizzy Caplan, who plays Alex in the series version on Paramount+, says her character’s actions are far worse than cooking cottontails.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 May 2023
The same study found that marsh and cottontail rabbits and foxes had disappeared from the area.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2023
Recently, Estrella has spotted opossums, coyotes, cottontail rabbits, deer and, of course, many birds.
—Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2023
The American robin is among a handful of wildlife species, including the house sparrow, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit and coyote, able to thrive in a variety of habitats.
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
From the archeology museum, visitors can stroll the Chihuahuan Desert Garden & Nature Trails, where desert cottontails play hide-and-seek among the cholla cactuses and creosote bush.
—Andrea Sachs, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Apr. 2023
With burlap ears and a bow, and a white faux hydrangea cottontail, the festive wreath combines seasonal materials to make a whimsical bunny.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cottontail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1835, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Cottontail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottontail. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
cottontail
noun
cot·ton·tail
ˈkät-ᵊn-ˌtāl
: any of several small brownish gray rabbits with a fluffy tail that is white on the underside
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