Illustration of octopus
- octopus 1
octopus
noun
oc·to·pus
?äk-tə-pəs 
-ˌpu̇s
plural octopuses or octopi
?äk-tə-ˌpī
1
plural also octopodes
äk-?tä-pə-ˌdēz
-?tō-
: 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
Atlantic
Examples of octopus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The study documented instances of octopuses punching fish that failed to contribute to the hunt.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
But, to use Bennett's metaphor, most of the octopus's tentacles have indeed been severely weakened if not altogether eliminated.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
And unfortunately, octopuses don't live very long after giving birth; Terrance was no exception.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
This provides them far more freedom of movement than a tail, and allows octopuses to demonstrate remarkable dexterity.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for octopus 
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Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
But, to use Bennett's metaphor, most of the octopus's tentacles have indeed been severely weakened if not altogether eliminated.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
And unfortunately, octopuses don't live very long after giving birth; Terrance was no exception.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
This provides them far more freedom of movement than a tail, and allows octopuses to demonstrate remarkable dexterity.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for octopus
Cite this Entry
“Octopus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/octopus. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
octopus
noun
oc·to·pus
?äk-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"
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