prickly pear

noun

1

or prickly pear cactus : opuntia

especially : an opuntia with flattened, usually paddle-shaped, jointed stem segments compare cholla, nopal

2

or prickly pear fruit : the pulpy, pear- or egg-shaped, edible, yellow to purplish-red fruit of various prickly pears (such as Opuntia ficus-indica) see tuna entry 2

Illustration of prickly pear

• prickly pear 1

Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Set within a sprawling Mediterranean estate dotted with olive trees, jasmine, and prickly pear, the property feels serene and secluded. —Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026

On the cocktail menu, Applebee's added the Pricklycane, a hurricane variation with Bacardi Superior Rum, lemon sour, and prickly pear, orange, and pineapple juices. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

National Margarita Day specials Azul Rooftop Offers $8 specialty margaritas all day, including prickly pear, strawberry, watermelon and jalapeño variations. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

Native to Puerto Rico and parts of the Leeward Islands, cowboy prickly pear can grow to 10 feet tall in the wild. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prickly pear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

prickly pear

noun

1

: any of numerous cacti with spines and usually flat stem segments

2

: the pear-shaped sweet edible pulpy fruit of a prickly pear