cactus

noun

cac·​tus ˈkak-təs 

plural cacti ˈkak-ˌtī 

-(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

Here's What Experts Say Late Winter Cut back on watering after your holiday cactus stops flowering, which is generally late winter for Thanksgiving and Christmas cactus plants and early spring for Easter cactus. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024

The heat hit hard and the men and the boys, who had been on foot for months, blended in with scrub brush and cactus, keeping an eye on the cartel gunmen camped on a ridge beneath a blue sky where vultures circled. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

The bag is almost half off the price of the cactus material and comes in black and gold, spiced chai and gold, or navy and silver. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 16 Sep. 2024

However, Christmas cactuses grow best when their roots are slightly confined. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cactus

• barrel cactus
• cactus wren
• Christmas cactus
• giant cactus
• organ pipe cactus
• prickly pear cactus
• queen of the night cactus
• rattail cactus

Kids Definition

cactus

noun

cac·​tus ˈkak-təs 

plural cacti -ˌtī 

-(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