cottonwood

noun

cot·​ton·​wood ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce cottonwood (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for cottonwood

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cottonwood was in 1802

Cite this Entry

“Cottonwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottonwood. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cottonwood

noun
cot·​ton·​wood -ˌwu̇d How to pronounce cottonwood (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on cottonwood

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