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.
An investigation into a wintry tourist attraction in southwestern China is underway after guests claimed they were deceived with fake snow made out of cotton wool and foamy water. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 Users on social media platform Wechat shared images of a thick layer of fake snow made from cotton wool sheets, Reuters reported. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025 Cloth buttons used to be constructed around bits of cotton wool to absorb and emanate drops of perfume. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024 Wrapped in cotton wool by their parents and absorbed by their online lives, young people aren’t transitioning into adulthood in a healthy way, Haidt argues. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 29 Mar. 2024 People meeting Andy Warhol for the first time often emerge from the experience feeling as though their brains had been systematically stuffed with a mixture of cotton wool and Brillo. Stephen Birmingham, Town & Country, 10 Aug. 2023 The small, spongy end pieces look a bit like cotton wool, and indeed, some have been made using cotton. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 13 June 2023 But fireworks shows seen through cotton wool are another fine old New Year’s tradition in the Port City, and the celebration greeting 2022 was a far cry from the silence at the dawn of 2021. al, 1 Jan. 2022 The masks are partly filled with organic cotton wool creating the puffiness of the coat. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021

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

Cite this Entry

“Cotton wool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotton%20wool. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

cotton-wool

noun
British
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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