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

The week before the ceremony, the community cuts down cottonwood trees and gathers yucca plants and other supplies for the dance. —Alejandra Rubio, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025

At the start of the season, pollen from alder, birchwood and cottonwood trees is most common. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025

Kloss’ landscape prints deftly, insightfully capture the mountains and streams and gorges and cottonwood trees and snow and atmosphere of the terrain in and around Taos. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

On the return, the boy spotted a herd of wild horses and broke away from our equine train, chasing them through an open field surrounded by cottonwoods. —Outside Online, 12 Mar. 2025

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