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cotton gin

American  

noun

  1. a machine for separating the fibers of cotton from the seeds.


Etymology

Origin of cotton gin

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In high school, many Americans learn of Eli Whitney’s revolutionary cotton gin.

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 1, 2025

Keeping up with the pace of technology has challenged Congress since the steam engine and the cotton gin transformed the nation’s industrial and agricultural sectors.

From Seattle Times Apr. 10, 2024

The unincorporated area comprises Woodlawn Missionary Baptist, a cotton gin and some houses.

From New York Times May 29, 2023

On a Friday at the community cotton gin, farmers and retired farmers gathered for their weekly coffee and doughnut meet-up, which also includes the Baptist pastor and the school superintendent, Bric Turner.

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 21, 2023

Sometimes my father would seek advice from Granddaddy about some aspect or other of the farm or the cotton gin.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

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