Definition of cottontail
: any of several rather small North American rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) sandy to grayish brown in color with a white-tufted underside of the tail
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of cottontail from the Web
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A study in the Chicago area showed the following percentages of food groups occurring in coyotes' diets: 43 percent small rodents; 22 percent white-tailed deer; 23 percent fruit; 18 percent eastern cottontail rabbit; and 13 percent birds.
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The hike will go through a 10-acre section of the preserve that the trust had clear cut last fall to provide good habitat for the New England cottontail species of rabbit and other small mammals.
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The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection asked the land trust to participate in the New England cottontail project.
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Land trust Co-President Jay Kaplan said the work is part of the New England Cottontail Initiative, a regional effort supported by federal government agencies to help the population of cottontails, which Kaplan said has been in decline.
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There are adult runs (and even a half marathon) but also a kids’ cottontail fun run and Easter egg and scavenger hunt.
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Wildlife such as speedy roadrunners, coveys of quails and scampering desert cottontail rabbits can be spotted.
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Studies have estimated cottontails only live an average of about two weeks, when high mortality inside the nest is taken into account.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cottontail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of cottontail
1835
COTTONTAIL Defined for English Language Learners
cottontail
playDefinition of cottontail for English Language Learners
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: a small rabbit with a white tail
COTTONTAIL Defined for Kids
cottontail
playDefinition of cottontail for Students
: a small rabbit with a white tail
Learn More about cottontail
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See words that rhyme with cottontail Spanish Central: Translation of cottontail Nglish: Translation of cottontail for Spanish speakers
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