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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To prevent streaks and patchiness, the formula infuses glycerin, avocado oil, and prickly pear seed oil to draw moisture into the skin. Lily Wohlner, Allure, 9 Feb. 2026 Cactus paddles beaded with young prickly pears. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026 Her brick home has a gravel driveway and a yard covered in prickly pear and saguaro cactus. Jacques Billeaud, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026 In a jean jacket and black dress, Savannah Guthrie walked through prickly pear cactus fields, even pausing to poke the thorny plants. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026 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 14 Feb. 2026.

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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