spinifex
noun
spi·ni·fex
ˈspī-nə-ˌfeks 
: any of several Australian grasses (genera Spinifex and Triodia) with spiny seeds or stiff sharp leaves
Examples of spinifex in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her detailed attention to the environment—the smell of the sea at low tide, the sound of dingoes outside a cave, the feel of trudging through spinifex in the bush—grounds the book in a strong sense of place.
—
Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Francois Peron National Park is a vast horizon of low-level shrubs and stunted trees, polka dots of spinifex on a rust-red canvas.
—Keith Drew, AFAR Media, 16 Jan. 2025
The elusive species creates tunnels and nests in dense spinifex bushes and emerges at night to forage for seeds.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024
The spinifex hopping mouse’s record-holding pee reaches concentrations over 9,000 milliosmoles per kilogram of water — that’s 10 times greater than what’s typical for humans.
—Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2022
During rare years with sustained downpours, moist swales are carpeted with spiky spinifex grasses that take on the appearance of fields of golden wheat.
—John Pickrell, Science | AAAS, 11 Aug. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 1 May 2025
Francois Peron National Park is a vast horizon of low-level shrubs and stunted trees, polka dots of spinifex on a rust-red canvas.
—Keith Drew, AFAR Media, 16 Jan. 2025
The elusive species creates tunnels and nests in dense spinifex bushes and emerges at night to forage for seeds.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024
The spinifex hopping mouse’s record-holding pee reaches concentrations over 9,000 milliosmoles per kilogram of water — that’s 10 times greater than what’s typical for humans.
—Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2022
During rare years with sustained downpours, moist swales are carpeted with spiky spinifex grasses that take on the appearance of fields of golden wheat.
—John Pickrell, Science | AAAS, 11 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Spinifex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinifex. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share