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
What To Do After The Holidays Caring for your Christmas cactus isn’t over once Christmas has passed.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
To form flower buds, the Easter cactus requires 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for the duration of 8 to 12 weeks.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Christmas cactuses bloom in winter, when the days grow cool and short.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
The Carefree Desert Garden showcases Arizona's beautiful botanicals with desert flowers and cactus.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cactus
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
To form flower buds, the Easter cactus requires 12 to 14 hours of uninterrupted darkness for the duration of 8 to 12 weeks.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
Christmas cactuses bloom in winter, when the days grow cool and short.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
The Carefree Desert Garden showcases Arizona's beautiful botanicals with desert flowers and cactus.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cactus
Cite this Entry
“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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