cactus

play

noun cac·tus \ ˈkak-təs \

Definition of cactus

plural cacti play \-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)

See cactus defined for English-language learners

See cactus defined for kids

Recent Examples of cactus from the Web

Here's the menu: Cheddar and chive biscuits, cactus chili, fluffy green cloud dessert salad, Karl Malden's stuffed cabbage recipe, zucchini and tomato casserole, BLT side salad and Dolly Parton's dessert bar recipe.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Food stage shows are an audience favorite tasty ticket," 18 Aug. 2017
Saguaro cactuses stand tall, offering a striking composition against the stormy sky.

— kathryn prociv, Washington Post, "Pic of the week: Mother Nature displays a hat-trick of beauty over Arizona," 11 Aug. 2017
There was nothing to cook, anyway, besides leaves and bitter cactus fruit.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "Can famine be checked as Africa faces its worst crisis since the 1980s?," 30 July 2017
Based on their prickly relationship, their family tree must have been a cactus.

— barbara hijek, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Family Feud: Man deliberately crashed into in-law's truck, deputies say," 28 July 2017
Salvador Jimenez-Flores molds a harsh futuristic landscape in which cactuses hybridize with humans to create a resilient mestizo race.

— lori waxman, chicagotribune.com, "National Museum of Mexican Art celebrates its 30th with a protest party," 5 July 2017
The images can be of a vintage hat, jewelry, the bloom of a cactus or architecture that captured Kelly’s attention on a holiday — she's inspired by anything and everything.

— Teen Vogue, "Kelly Wearstler Intern Shares What It’s Like," 4 July 2017
The collection consists of three items: the cactus eye mask ($35), a shortie pajama set ($110) and a night shirt ($95), sold exclusively on shop.theblondesalad.com.

— sarah gidick, The Hollywood Reporter, "#SocialGathering: Beyonce Breaks Social Media Silence; Lindsay Lohan Tries To Get the Gang Back Together," 30 June 2017
Non-prickly cactus: $34.99 on Amazon Floating on this desert dream will guarantee a succulent summer.

— samantha gordon, USA TODAY, "Here are the 20 best pool floats of summer 2017," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cactus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cactus

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1738

See Words from the same year

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

CACTUS Defined for English Language Learners

cactus

play

noun

Definition of cactus for English Language Learners

: a plant that lives in the desert and that has many sharp points (called spines)

CACTUS Defined for Kids

cactus

play

noun cac·tus \ ˈkak-təs \

Definition of cactus for Students

plural cacti \-ˌtī, -tē\ or cactuses

:any of a large group of flowering plants of dry regions that have thick juicy stems and branches with scales or spines

Learn More about cactus

See words that rhyme with cactus Spanish Central: Translation of cactus Nglish: Translation of cactus for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cactus

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cactus? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

cactus

Definition of cactus

Recent Examples of cactus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cactus

Other Seed Plant Terms

CACTUS Defined for English Language Learners

cactus

Definition of cactus for English Language Learners

CACTUS Defined for Kids

cactus

Definition of cactus for Students

Learn More about cactus

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name That Thing

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

cactus

Definition of cactus

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Recent Examples of cactus from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cactus

Other Seed Plant Terms

CACTUS Defined for English Language Learners

cactus

Definition of cactus for English Language Learners

CACTUS Defined for Kids

cactus

Definition of cactus for Students

Learn More about cactus

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066