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

Farther west, cottonwoods light up Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon all November long. —AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025

The forest surrounding the iconic craggy peaks of the park are scattered with aspens, cottonwoods, and willows, all of which turn different shades of yellow in September and October. —Graham Averill, Outside, 26 Sep. 2025

Golden aspens and glowing cottonwoods will soon take over Arizona's high country, drawing hikers and leaf-peepers to the mountains. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

For 143 years, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has carried passengers deep into the San Juan National Forest—a spectacular journey most magical in the fall, when mighty cottonwoods turn brilliant shades of yellow and orange. —Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 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