octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs How to pronounce octopus (audio)
-ˌpu̇s
plural octopuses or octopi ˈäk-tə-ˌpī How to pronounce octopus (audio)
1
plural also octopodes äk-​ˈtä-​pə-​ˌdēz How to pronounce octopus (audio)
-​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 sellsAtlantic

Illustration of octopus

Illustration of octopus
  • octopus 1

Examples of octopus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Share [Findings] The deepest octopus observed to date was photographed in the Java Trench. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023 Researchers have since observed a similar state in octopuses. Carolyn Wilke, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023 Thousands of octopus moms displaying a mysterious social behavior among deep-sea hydrothermal springs off the central coast of California may have led scientists to an exciting breakthrough, according to a new study published in Science Advances. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2023 Some of their most interesting exhibitions show weedy seadragons, giant Pacific octopuses and several species of seal and sea lion. Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023 The minuscule life attracts other animals; octopuses, for example, lay eggs in the sponges. Olive Heffernan, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023 Some of the local smoked mackerel, an octopus for the willful Italian, and another fish set aflame. Andrew Sean Greer, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2023 Along the far wall, a mural of a giant octopus with a terrifyingly human face watches over us. Adam Reiner, Bon Appétit, 2 Aug. 2023 The officials on Wednesday had sashimi of flounder, octopus and sea bass, which was caught off the Fukushima coast, along with rice harvested in the prefecture, according to Economy and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who was at the lunch meeting. Julia Mio Inuma, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'octopus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of octopus was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near octopus

Cite this Entry

“Octopus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

octopus

noun
oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs How to pronounce octopus (audio)
plural octopuses or octopi -ˌpī How to pronounce octopus (audio)
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"

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