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

Fluffs of cotton are floating in the late spring air, released by the cottonwood trees in our frontyard. —Nishant Jain, The Dial, 24 June 2025

The Raccoon River makes a lazy entrance into Des Moines, completing its journey from northwest Iowa in a series of graceful switchbacks through an urban park, its olive surface shaded by locust trees and towering cottonwoods. —Dave Hage, Literary Hub, 27 May 2025

Watch for it on fruitless mulberries, catalpas, cottonwoods, silver maples, sycamores and others. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 June 2025

This seven-mile trek winds through an impressive canyon filled with cottonwood, aspen and dogwood trees, and is the perfect spot to catch autumn’s changing colors. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

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