plural cacti
ˈkak-ˌtī 
-(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
Create a prickly pear cactus one day, a jade plant the next, or round out your night by assembling a fun Venus fly trap.
—
Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The base of the bobblehead shows Purdue Pete standing in the desert with a bobbling cactus.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Apr. 2024
The desert cactus margarita made with reposado tequila, agave organic nectar, pear and sweet and sour and served in a souvenir cactus mug promises to quench thirsts.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024
The businessman was well-known in Kolkata for his 11th-floor penthouse — featuring a 4,700-square-foot rooftop garden with bonsai trees and cactuses — and his proximity to the local Trinamool Congress.
—Anant Gupta, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Standing in front of boulders and cactus on a dirt road, Beyoncé draped a Proenza Schouler blanket over the upper half of her body as a top, pairing it with a floor-length, formfitting skirt from the same brand.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Heading south on Gooseneck Trail, the route winds among saguaro and cholla cactus, crossing Rio Verde Drive at the 0.8-mile point.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
But Mona also teems with life: flowering cactuses, swirling flocks of seabirds, orchids and iguanas and frogs found nowhere else on Earth.
—Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
To grow a living pebbles plant, use a cactus and succulent potting mix ($21, Walmart) and a pot with a drainage hole.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2024
Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The base of the bobblehead shows Purdue Pete standing in the desert with a bobbling cactus.
—Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Apr. 2024
The desert cactus margarita made with reposado tequila, agave organic nectar, pear and sweet and sour and served in a souvenir cactus mug promises to quench thirsts.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024
The businessman was well-known in Kolkata for his 11th-floor penthouse — featuring a 4,700-square-foot rooftop garden with bonsai trees and cactuses — and his proximity to the local Trinamool Congress.
—Anant Gupta, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Standing in front of boulders and cactus on a dirt road, Beyoncé draped a Proenza Schouler blanket over the upper half of her body as a top, pairing it with a floor-length, formfitting skirt from the same brand.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Heading south on Gooseneck Trail, the route winds among saguaro and cholla cactus, crossing Rio Verde Drive at the 0.8-mile point.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
But Mona also teems with life: flowering cactuses, swirling flocks of seabirds, orchids and iguanas and frogs found nowhere else on Earth.
—Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
To grow a living pebbles plant, use a cactus and succulent potting mix ($21, Walmart) and a pot with a drainage hole.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cactus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cactus
Cite this Entry
“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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