octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs 

-ˌpu̇s

plural octopuses or octopi ˈäk-tə-ˌpī 

1

plural also octopodes äk-​ˈtä-​pə-​ˌdēz 

-​ˈtō-

: any of a genus (Octopus) of cephalopod mollusks that have eight muscular arms equipped with two rows of suckers

broadly : any octopod excepting the paper nautilus

2

: something that resembles an octopus especially in having many centrally directed branches

an octopus of a corporation which lends, buys, produces, and sells

—Atlantic

Illustration of octopus

• octopus 1

Examples of octopus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

De Laurentiis shared a snap of their room service dinner, which included a green curry with vegetables on top and another multi-colored dish with octopus and garnishes of radish and onions on top. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Paul was able to lock in the octopus submission, Cena picked him up and went for the AA, Paul rolled through, Cena got out, and then Cena locked in the STF. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Over the last half-billion years, squid, octopuses and their kin have evolved much like a fireworks display, with long, anticipatory pauses interspersed with intense, explosive changes. —Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025

From an octopus lunging at a videographer that stopped our hearts, to a dog being returned for a third time, this week's headlines left us speechless with the unusual and upsetting scenarios. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for octopus

• blunderbuss
• platypus
• xenopus
• pithecanthropus
• puss

Kids Definition

octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs 

plural octopuses or octopi -ˌpī 

1

: any of various sea mollusks that are cephalopods having eight muscular arms with two rows of suckers which hold objects (as its prey)

2

: something suggestive of an octopus

especially : a powerful grasping organization with many branches

Etymology

from scientific Latin Octopod-, Octopus "octopus," from Greek oktōpous, literally, "eight-footed," from oktō "eight" and pous "foot"