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

• water moccasin 1

Examples of water moccasin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That told them that the snake was likely a venomous adult water moccasin. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024

Among them are the rattlesnake, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), copperhead and coral snake. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 June 2024

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 | [e-mail], al, 15 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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 

: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of the southern United States closely related to the copperhead

called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin