copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkä-pər-ˌhed How to pronounce copperhead (audio)
plural copperheads
1
: a common pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usually having a copper-colored head and often a reddish-brown hourglass pattern on the body
2
disapproving : a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

Illustration of copperhead

Illustration of copperhead
  • copperhead 1

Examples of copperhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Snakes native to western North Carolina include the copperhead, said Duke’s Dr. Sean Bush, an emergency medicine physician. NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024 The manager's footage shows the copperhead resting on top of the dryer while Perry explains the circumstances. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024 The timber rattlesnake is one of two venomous snakes found in Connecticut — the other being the northern copperhead — and is extremely rare, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Dave Collins, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 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 See all Example Sentences for copperhead 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'copperhead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of copperhead was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near copperhead

Cite this Entry

“Copperhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copperhead. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

copperhead

noun
cop·​per·​head ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed How to pronounce copperhead (audio)
1
: a common largely coppery brown poisonous snake of the pit viper family that occurs in the eastern and central U.S.
2
: a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

Medical Definition

copperhead

noun
cop·​per·​head ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed How to pronounce copperhead (audio)
1
: a pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) widely distributed in upland areas of the eastern and central United States that typically attains a length of three feet (0.9 meter), is coppery brown above with dark transverse blotches, and is capable of inflicting a very painful but rarely fatal bite
2
: a very venomous but sluggish Australian elapid snake of the genus Denisonia (D. superba)

More from Merriam-Webster on copperhead

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