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

The formula contains aloe vera and prickly pear to soothe the skin while also helping to repair and soften it on a deeper level. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024

Some of the Arizona ingredients the brewers use in their brews are prickly pear, Arizona citrus and mulberries. —The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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