cactus

noun

cac·​tus ˈkak-təs How to pronounce cactus (audio)
plural cacti ˈkak-ˌtī How to pronounce cactus (audio)
-(ˌ)tē
or cactuses also cactus
: any of a family (Cactaceae, the cactus family) of plants that have succulent stems and branches with scales or spines instead of leaves and are found especially in dry areas (such as deserts)

Examples of cactus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Melanie Stetson Freeman/Staff A flower blooms on a cactus, a cheery patch of color in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, not long after the start of spring. Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 May 2024 Blackened buildings peeked out between columnar cactuses, deafening booms from artillery shells interrupted chirping parrots and cooing doves, and an acrid smell still hung in the air. Adam Sella, New York Times, 26 May 2024 Current View cohost Sunny Hostin is revealing that a potentially offensive maneuver issued by the War Room of Meghan McCain — Arizona's cactus princess and staunch opposer of Whoopi Goldberg's Hot Topics bell — didn't even register on her pop culture radar. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 22 May 2024 To this day, tribal members pick acorns atop the mountains and saguaro cactus fruit below. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for cactus 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cactus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cardoon, from Greek kaktos

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cactus was in 1738

Dictionary Entries Near cactus

Cite this Entry

“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 7 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

cactus

noun
cac·​tus ˈkak-təs How to pronounce cactus (audio)
plural cacti -ˌtī How to pronounce cactus (audio)
-(ˌ)tē
or cactuses also cactus
: any of a large family of flowering plants able to live in dry regions and having fleshy stems and branches that bear scales or prickles instead of leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on cactus

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