: 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
Those plants include cattails, which thrive in wet and marshy conditions.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cattail
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Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for cattail
Cite this Entry
“Cattail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cattail. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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