cactus

noun

cac·​tus ˈkak-təs How to pronounce cactus (audio)
plural cacti ˈkak-ˌtī How to pronounce cactus (audio)
-(ˌ)tē
or cactuses also cactus
: any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and are found especially in dry areas (such as deserts)

Examples of cactus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The ingredient lineup champions prickly pear cactus extract, which draws moisture into the skin and provides a rich source of vitamin K to support elasticity, while Persian silk tree extract targets signs of fatigue. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026 The plates, like Soto-Innes’ fresh scallop slices with cactus paddle and a bright lemon verbena aguachile, were enough to make guests linger. Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 He was covered in hundreds of cholla cactus spines from nose to tail and could not move. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 10 June 2026 An elephant’s head merges with the body of a cactus that wears Birkenstock-style sandals. Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cactus

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cardoon, from Greek kaktos

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cactus was in 1738

Cite this Entry

“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

cactus

noun
cac·​tus ˈkak-təs How to pronounce cactus (audio)
plural cacti -ˌtī How to pronounce cactus (audio)
-(ˌ)tē
or cactuses also cactus
: any of a large family of flowering plants able to live in dry regions and having fleshy stems and branches that bear scales or prickles instead of leaves

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