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
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
After 30 minutes, Stires walked out of the pen and sat near some cottonwoods a short distance away.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Aspens thrive at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet, so head to the national park spots Hollowell Park, Beaver Meadows, and Glacier Gorge, which are also home to pumpkin-orange cottonwoods.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
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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
After 30 minutes, Stires walked out of the pen and sat near some cottonwoods a short distance away.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 Sep. 2025
Aspens thrive at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet, so head to the national park spots Hollowell Park, Beaver Meadows, and Glacier Gorge, which are also home to pumpkin-orange cottonwoods.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cottonwood
Cite this Entry
“Cottonwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottonwood. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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