water moccasin

noun

1
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) chiefly of the southeastern U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead

called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin

2
: a harmless American colubrid water snake (genus Nerodia) resembling the true water moccasin

Illustration of water moccasin

Illustration of water moccasin
  • water moccasin 1

Examples of water moccasin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2024 Specifically that means pit vipers, which includes timber rattlesnakes (found in Connecticut) and copperheads and water moccasins. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2024 On their trek around the neighborhood, the officials saw a water moccasin – one of the snakes and frogs that have become a frequent sight in Shiloh – and a gas pipeline that was moved next to the Williams’ home as part of the highway project. Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024 The terms cottonmouth and water moccasin for this species are synonymous. Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023 Your party persona is reborn as that of an eel, a water moccasin, an otter, a seal, a gator. Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 Many of these are naturally mistaken for the cottonmouth, or water moccasin, a venomous species that lives in and around the water. Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022 During a night shoot in the water, the cast and crew relocated after the water moccasin attack. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 July 2022 There are four venomous snakes in Texas: coral snakes, copperheads, water moccasins (a.k.a. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 8 June 2020

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of water moccasin was circa 1821

Dictionary Entries Near water moccasin

Cite this Entry

“Water moccasin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20moccasin. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

water moccasin

noun
: a poisonous pit viper of the southern U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead

called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin

Medical Definition

water moccasin

noun
water moc·​ca·​sin -ˌmäk-ə-sən How to pronounce water moccasin (audio)
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of the southern United States closely related to the copperhead

called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!