octopus

noun

oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs How to pronounce octopus (audio)
-ˌpu̇s
plural octopuses or octopi ˈäk-tə-ˌpī How to pronounce octopus (audio)
1
plural also octopodes äk-​ˈtä-​pə-​ˌdēz How to pronounce octopus (audio)
-​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 sellsAtlantic

Illustration of octopus

Illustration of octopus
  • octopus 1

Examples of octopus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Graydon Herriott Bowl of octopus at Beira Mar in Santo António. Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 The corset top of her Del Core design had a silhouette reminiscent of an octopus. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 In the background rests a shell where another coconut octopus was living. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Deep coral reefs provide habitat for sharks, swordfish, sea stars, octopus, shrimp and many other kinds of fish, the scientists said. Christina Larson, Fortune, 19 Jan. 2024 The coconut octopus was sitting in a small hollow in the sand. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The fresco offers a surrealist take on the celestial, playing off the Murano glass sea creatures and metal octopi that decorate each room. Zoe Dubno, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2024 Experts believe the cirri are used to aid the octopuses in feeding. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 Don't miss the eggplant parmesan, roasted baby octopus, organic veal skirt steak, or the burrata. 14 of 42 Joy Yee's Noodle Shop Address: 2139 S China Place Phone: (312) 328-0001 Website Joy Yee's Noodle Shop has perhaps the most expansive menu of noodles in Chicago. Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'octopus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of octopus was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near octopus

Cite this Entry

“Octopus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

octopus

noun
oc·​to·​pus ˈäk-tə-pəs How to pronounce octopus (audio)
plural octopuses or octopi -ˌpī How to pronounce octopus (audio)
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"

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