prickly pear

noun

1

or prickly pear cactus : opuntia

especially : an opuntia with flattened, usually paddle-shaped, jointed stem segments compare cholla, nopal

2

or prickly pear fruit : the pulpy, pear- or egg-shaped, edible, yellow to purplish-red fruit of various prickly pears (such as Opuntia ficus-indica) see tuna entry 2

Illustration of prickly pear

• prickly pear 1

Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

National Margarita Day specials Azul Rooftop Offers $8 specialty margaritas all day, including prickly pear, strawberry, watermelon and jalapeño variations. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 22 Feb. 2026

Native to Puerto Rico and parts of the Leeward Islands, cowboy prickly pear can grow to 10 feet tall in the wild. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

To prevent streaks and patchiness, the formula infuses glycerin, avocado oil, and prickly pear seed oil to draw moisture into the skin. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026

Cactus paddles beaded with young prickly pears. —Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prickly pear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

prickly pear

noun

1

: any of numerous cacti with spines and usually flat stem segments

2

: the pear-shaped sweet edible pulpy fruit of a prickly pear