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

Illustration of prickly pear
  • prickly pear 1

Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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It’s powered by non-nano zinc oxide (that’s your UV blocker), plus prickly pear extract (to protect against blue-light pollution) and skin-soothing white sage extract. Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 16 June 2025 The moringa comes from Kenya, the marula comes from Namibia and the prickly pear comes from Madagascar. Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Antioxidant-rich aloe vera and prickly pear extract soothe and protect, making each spritz a sensorial and skin-loving ritual. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025 Glycerin and panthenol help smooth and soften, while plant extracts like prickly pear support healthy-looking texture and shine. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prickly pear

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prickly pear was in 1696

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Cite this Entry

“Prickly pear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prickly%20pear. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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

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