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.
Rinaldi's team have nicknamed it the Saguaro, after a species of cactus native to the Sonoran desert in the United States' south-west, thanks to the galaxy's arms and how its core resembles the red fruit produced by the cactus. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Snake plants are succulents that prefer soil to dry out between waterings, and fast-draining cactus potting mix can keep the roots from staying soggy and rotting. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 Or are there other factors that would make such a cactus bloom out of character? — Arkansas Online, 31 July 2026 Outside are cactus, mountain views and the thrum of cars heading to the many motels that line the Coachella Valley’s busiest thoroughfare. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 29 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing cactus

Rhymes for cactus

See All Rhymes for cactus

Browse Nearby Words

cactoblastis
cactus
cactus alkaloid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cactus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cactus. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of cactus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cactus

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