cotton wool

noun

: raw cotton
especially : cotton batting

Examples of cotton wool in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wood is full of it, cotton wool has none. — David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026 Cloth buttons used to be constructed around bits of cotton wool to absorb and emanate drops of perfume. — Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024 Everybody’s protected in cotton wool, even then. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025 This was not so much about wrapping key players in cotton wool but also enclosing them in bubble wrap, doing everything to avoid injury. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cotton wool

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cotton wool was in the 14th century

Rhymes for cotton wool

See All Rhymes for cotton wool

Browse Nearby Words

cottonwood leaf beetle
cotton wool
cotton wool ball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cotton wool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton%20wool. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

cotton-wool

noun
British
: absorbent cotton
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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