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

Additionally, objects of cultural patrimony such as five pairs of moccasins, one coupstick, one Cheyenne cradle board and one lance were returned in the ceremony. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Aug. 2026

The $1,180 style is classified as a loafer, though the design has none of the keeper straps, tassels or moccasin stitching that have been popular with the silhouette’s comeback. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Run to snag Madewell flats, loafers, and moccasins before fall, and explore more styles, below. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026

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 Gloydius) resembling a water moccasin