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

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

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Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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"