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

Nopales, the iconic pads of the prickly pear cactus, feature prominently in Sonoran cuisine and are prepared and enjoyed in a number of ways, including raw; blended into smoothies; boiled and chopped and added to soups, stews, or salads; or grilled whole and served like a vegetarian steak. —Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025

Key Ingredients: Banana flower extract, niacinamide, prickly pear water, ethylhexyl olivate, squalane Best For: Mature, dull skin, very dry skin Fragrance: Yes Cruelty-Free: Yes Available Size(s): 8 Fl. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Dec. 2025

Also known as a cactus pear, tuna fruit, or sabras, prickly pears are a sweet fruit that are quick and easy to snack on. —Marley Hall, Verywell Health, 24 Nov. 2025

Even the flag includes a symbol — an eagle perched on a prickly pear cactus eating a snake — that is derived from the Aztec founding of its capital, Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. —jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 2025

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