/ ˈkɒtn; NAmE ˈkɑːtn/ noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
a plant grown in warm countries for the soft white hairs around its seeds that are used to make cloth and thread :
cotton fields / plants
bales of cotton
2.
the cloth made from the cotton plant :
The sheets are 100% pure cotton.
a cotton shirt / skirt
printed cotton cloth
the cotton industry
a cotton mill
3.
( especially BrE ) thread that is used for sewing :
sewing cotton
a cotton reel
4.
( NAmE ) = cotton wool :
Use a cotton ball to apply the lotion.
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- cotton on (to sth)
- cotton (up) to sb/sth
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French coton , from Arabic quṭn .