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)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web One compared Skip’s neon sign to the famous Hilltop Steakhouse cactus and orange dinosaur on Route 1 in Saugus. 
Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 To grow living pebbles, plant them in a cactus and succulent potting mix ($19, Walmart) and be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 But Garcia powered through it to ultimately win the challenge with her take on a chile relleno with nopal cactus and her judge-favorite dessert. Emma Balter, Chron, 26 May 2022 South Dakota has Mount Rushmore, Arizona has a cactus and California has ... Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 His at-home desk situation is about to be lookin' reaaaal cute with a cute 'lil cactus that serves as a decor piece and as a light. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 11 Aug. 2022 But if your greenery is a slow-growing plant, like a cactus, every two to four years may suffice. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 13 July 2022 Try to position your shot get a cactus, tree or building in the foreground. Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic, 9 May 2022 The mask of a human face emerges cactus-like from a pot. Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2022 To grow living pebbles, plant them in a cactus and succulent potting mix ($19, Walmart) and be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2022 But Garcia powered through it to ultimately win the challenge with her take on a chile relleno with nopal cactus and her judge-favorite dessert. Emma Balter, Chron, 26 May 2022 South Dakota has Mount Rushmore, Arizona has a cactus and California has ... Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 His at-home desk situation is about to be lookin' reaaaal cute with a cute 'lil cactus that serves as a decor piece and as a light. Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 11 Aug. 2022 But if your greenery is a slow-growing plant, like a cactus, every two to four years may suffice. Mariah Thomas, Good Housekeeping, 13 July 2022 Try to position your shot get a cactus, tree or building in the foreground. Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic, 9 May 2022 The mask of a human face emerges cactus-like from a pot. Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
cactus
noun
cac·tus ˈkak-təs
plural cacti
-ˌtī,
-tē
or cactuses : any of a large group of flowering plants of dry regions that have thick juicy stems and branches with scales or spines
- out of danger
- out of earshot
- out of fashion
- out of favor
- out of focus
- out of hand
- out of here
- out of hours
- out of humor
- out of it
- out of joint
- out of keeping with
- out of kilter
- out of line
- out of luck
- out of necessity
- safety straps
- safety switch
- safety switchboard
- safety tread
- safety tube
- safety valve
- safety valves
- safety zone
- safety-deposit