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

Bronze mermaids, floating fish, and a large octopus sculpture by Damien Hirst look down on diners in the dining room. —Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025

Mudflats and tidal flats in Korea are home to a wide variety of clams, crabs, octopuses, and snails, which can be harvested. —Sara Merican, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025

The term was first coined in Japan, where doctors found that part of the heart that balloons is similar in shape to an octopus trap. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025

This summer, for example, Fiji Airways introduced an elevated dining on demand service complete with bites like delicate hamachi crudo with octopus and ponzu, and Singapore Airlines puts a lot of thought into choosing the perfect Champagne for its flights. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 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"