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

• prickly pear 1

Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Facts about the desert tortoise, prickly pear cacti and more lie waiting amid pages of arguments on ballot propositions. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 7 Oct. 2024

The ecosystem at the higher elevation there, with firs, pines, and even a few aspen, contrasts sharply with the spear-like sotol and prickly pear of the desert floor. —Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2023

The plant Mexicans most identify with is the prickly pear cactus. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

The addition of prickly pear extract supports the skin's natural exfoliation process. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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