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
There’s a lot to like about towering Eastern cottonwood trees (Populus deltoides).
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
This region is particularly beautiful in the fall, when the leaves of willow, cottonwood, and aspen trees change color.
—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
The ancient cottonwood in the corner of the White Course appears to be replaced by a new maintenance facility in the Fazio rendering.
—
New York Times,
26 June 2026
See the spots where Wilder and her husband Almanzo lived and homesteaded, then cruise out to Silver Lake, where the leaves of the cottonwoods Pa Ingalls planted still dance in the breeze.
—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cottonwood
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Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 July 2026
This region is particularly beautiful in the fall, when the leaves of willow, cottonwood, and aspen trees change color.
—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2026
The ancient cottonwood in the corner of the White Course appears to be replaced by a new maintenance facility in the Fazio rendering.
—
New York Times,
26 June 2026
See the spots where Wilder and her husband Almanzo lived and homesteaded, then cruise out to Silver Lake, where the leaves of the cottonwoods Pa Ingalls planted still dance in the breeze.
—
Alicia Underlee Nelson,
Midwest Living,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cottonwood
Cite this Entry
“Cottonwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cottonwood. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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