octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs 

-ˌpu̇s

plural octopuses or octopi ˈäk-tə-ˌpī 

1

plural also octopodes äk-​ˈtä-​pə-​ˌdēz 

-​ˈtō-

: any of a genus (Octopus) of cephalopod mollusks that have eight muscular arms equipped with two rows of suckers

broadly : any octopod excepting the paper nautilus

2

: something that resembles an octopus especially in having many centrally directed branches

an octopus of a corporation which lends, buys, produces, and sells

—Atlantic

Illustration of octopus

• octopus 1

Examples of octopus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sauteed octopus is cooked to tender plumpness and comes with chorizo chips and a delectable chili sauce. —Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Soon the only evidence of their tailgating is a small piece of octopus on the ground. —Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

Burnin' Shell's entrees range from about $40 (live octopus) to $200 (Captain Set), per the restaurant's Instagram. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

The lake is shaped a bit like an octopus, and our destination, Villa La Angostura, is about an hour’s ride down one of its northern tentacles. —Mark Johanson, Robb Report, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs 

plural octopuses or octopi -ˌpī 

1

: any of various sea mollusks that are cephalopods having eight muscular arms with two rows of suckers which hold objects (as its prey)

2

: something suggestive of an octopus

especially : a powerful grasping organization with many branches

Etymology

from scientific Latin Octopod-, Octopus "octopus," from Greek oktōpous, literally, "eight-footed," from oktō "eight" and pous "foot"