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
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.
Residents must bring the materials to be chipped to the site; crews must be able to pick the materials up as they cannot be cut into smaller pieces; and no poison oak/ivy/sumac, ground cover, cactus or materials with bug infestation will be chipped. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2025 The highway cut through fields of saguaro cactuses. Benji Jones, Vox, 21 May 2025 The mural is reminiscent of the original artwork that once graced the front of the building and prominently features a candy-red lowrider among blooming nopal cactuses. Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2025 Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images As Daly stepped up, his caddie carefully navigated the cactuses, trying not to spill the drink. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cactus

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

Cite this Entry

“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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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