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

See the spots where Wilder and her husband Almanzo lived and homesteaded, then cruise out to Silver Lake, where the leaves of the cottonwoods Pa Ingalls planted still dance in the breeze. — Alicia Underlee Nelson, Midwest Living, 22 June 2026

There’s much to love about cottonwood trees and their rightful place in our natural environment, such as along the Des Plaines River at Ryerson, Wright and Half Day Woods in Lake County. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

After a dip, relax under the cottonwood trees with a picnic. — Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

Then, knee-high cattails and primrose, followed shortly by small cottonwoods and willows, then by towering gambel oaks. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

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