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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Queen conch, spiny Caribbean lobster and the red fruit of the turk’s head cactus – national treasures on roughly the same footing as the Union Jack – all sewn into the flag flapping over the tarmac. Mark Gauert, Sun Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 Imagery of stars, flames rainbows, cowboy hats, cactus, flowers and rugged landscapes are featured across the designs, including six sock styles. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 Tohono O’odham Nation reservation, which has about 10,000 residents according to census data, sprawls across a Connecticut-sized area of the Sonoran Desert with its iconic saguaro cactus and mesquite trees. Tom Hals, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2024 Winter is the primary bloom season for Christmas cactus. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near cactus

Cite this Entry

“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cactus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!