Illustration of water moccasin
- water moccasin 1
water moccasin
noun
1
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) chiefly of the southeastern U.S. that is closely related to the copperhead
called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin
2
: a harmless American colubrid water snake (genus Nerodia) resembling the true water moccasin
Examples of water moccasin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That told them that the snake was likely a venomous adult water moccasin.
—
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
Among them are the rattlesnake, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), copperhead and coral snake.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 June 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
Specifically that means pit vipers, which includes timber rattlesnakes (found in Connecticut) and copperheads and water moccasins.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2024
On their trek around the neighborhood, the officials saw a water moccasin – one of the snakes and frogs that have become a frequent sight in Shiloh – and a gas pipeline that was moved next to the Williams’ home as part of the highway project.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The terms cottonmouth and water moccasin for this species are synonymous.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
Your party persona is reborn as that of an eel, a water moccasin, an otter, a seal, a gator.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Many of these are naturally mistaken for the cottonmouth, or water moccasin, a venomous species that lives in and around the water.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022
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.
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2024
Among them are the rattlesnake, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), copperhead and coral snake.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 6 June 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
Specifically that means pit vipers, which includes timber rattlesnakes (found in Connecticut) and copperheads and water moccasins.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2024
On their trek around the neighborhood, the officials saw a water moccasin – one of the snakes and frogs that have become a frequent sight in Shiloh – and a gas pipeline that was moved next to the Williams’ home as part of the highway project.
—Maia Rosenfeld, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024
The terms cottonmouth and water moccasin for this species are synonymous.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
Your party persona is reborn as that of an eel, a water moccasin, an otter, a seal, a gator.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Many of these are naturally mistaken for the cottonmouth, or water moccasin, a venomous species that lives in and around the water.
—Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, 15 Aug. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near water moccasin
Cite this Entry
“Water moccasin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20moccasin. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
water moccasin
noun
water moc·ca·sin
-ˌmäk-ə-sən 
: a venomous semiaquatic pit viper (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of the southern United States closely related to the copperhead
called also cottonmouth, cottonmouth moccasin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share