cattail

noun

cat·​tail ˈkat-ˌtāl 

: any of a genus (Typha of the family Typhaceae, the cattail family) of tall reedy marsh plants with brown furry fruiting spikes

especially : a plant (Typha latifolia) with long flat leaves used especially for making mats and chair seats

Examples of cattail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Woven from a rush straw cattail blend, these two round floor cushions will fulfill any, and all, desires to incorporate more natural materials into your design. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025

But as Plumier wades through saplings and cattails, his headlamp is on the prowl. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025

And like another great public land whitetail hunter, Dan Infalt, Simpson loves to target cattail marshes and wetlands. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2025

Drought-tolerant plants like cacti, succulents, rosemary, and thyme will not thrive during periods of heavy rain, while water-loving plants like cattails, cannas, and swamp sunflowers will be happy. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cattail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email
• entail

Kids Definition

cattail

noun

cat·​tail ˈkat-ˌtāl 

: a tall marsh plant that bears very tiny flowers and fruit in brown furry spikes at the end of long stalks