copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkä-pər-ˌhed 

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

• copperhead 1

Examples of copperhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nightmare fuel:Can Texas' venomous snakes, like rattlers and copperheads, climb trees? —Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 5 June 2024

In September, a Virginia man narrowly avoided getting bit by a copperhead snake after the venomous reptile appeared on his washing machine located in his bedroom. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

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

The northern copperhead snake is described as having two shades of copper or a reddish-brown color. —Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed 

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 

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)