moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmä-kə-sən 

1

a

: a soft leather heelless shoe or boot with the sole brought up the sides of the foot and over the toes where it is joined with a puckered seam to a U-shaped piece lying on top of the foot

b

: a regular shoe having a seam on the forepart of the vamp imitating the seam of a moccasin

2

a

: water moccasin

b

: a snake (as of the genus Gloydius) resembling a water moccasin

moccasined

ˈmä-kə-sənd 

adjective

Examples of moccasin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Acts of rebellion, fine tailoring, streetwear, tribal prints, traditional tassels and suedes, moccasins, and sustainable fashion approaches like fur and multi-use materials were all present on the runway. —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

But the shoe rules have still caused snafus, as when a Native American producer was turned away from the red carpet for wearing moccasins in 2022. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

That year, Gucci also opened its first store outside Italy, in New York, and launched its first moccasin. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

In this year’s Caldecott Medal winner, 2-year-old Chooch’s family teaches him some of their Cherokee traditions, like sewing moccasins and making grape dumplings. —Travis Jonker, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian mockasin

First Known Use

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing moccasin

• cottonmouth moccasin
• moccasin flower
• water moccasin

Kids Definition

moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmäk-ə-sən 

1

a

: a soft leather shoe without a heel and with the sole and sides made of one piece

b

: a similar shoe with a separate sole

2

: water moccasin

Medical Definition

moccasin

noun

moc·​ca·​sin ˈmäk-ə-sən 

1

: water moccasin

2

: a snake (as of the genus Natrix) resembling a water moccasin