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

This elaborate neural architecture is critical given the octopus’s dual role in the ecosystem as both predator and prey. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, ArsTechnica, 7 June 2025

With Il Viaggio di Nettuno—A New Chapter, Neptune and his mythical cohort of winged horses and frantic octopuses leap across porcelain tableware in muted shades of butter yellow, sky blue, and peach. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 June 2025

While bone marrow and octopus are undoubtedly more mature than skeleton decorations and floating eyeball punch, her Soirée de Sorcières proves that a lavish dinner party can still be whimsical and playful. —Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025

Lamb with Szechuan mala spices and grilled Spanish octopus were worth finding the last remaining available corners of my stomach, while a wagyu beef tenderloin was the tender, carnivorous pièce de résistance for my last supper in Singapore. —Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 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"