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

Michael Toscano of La Farfalle and Porchetta Shop presented a divine Surf and Turf Tartare with beef crudo, octopus, Charleston shrimp, beech mushrooms, ramps and shrimp head vinaigrette. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2025

Maui: Snorkeling with turtles, octopus, eels and more. —Judy Koutsky, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The clip opens with different scenes of octopuses and octopus fans, with Waller-Bridge's narration describing the dramatic world Octopus! —Kelli Bender, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025

What’s next? 408 tentacles: A family went viral last year after posting about its dozens of octopuses. —Justin Porter, New York Times, 14 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"