1
: a strong-scented perennial mint (Nepeta cataria) that has whorls of small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats
2
: something very attractive
Examples of catnip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of treats, this calendar is packed with a mix of exciting goodies like plush toys, kicker toys, balls and popular stimulants like catnip and silvervine to keep your kitty playful and merry.
—
Christine Persaud, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Hidden passageways, dungeons frozen in time, and eerie corridors are like catnip for those with a proclivity toward the paranormal.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Flies don't like citronella and other strong scents like lavender, rosemary, catnip, and basil.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Also included in the cast are comedian Tim Heidecker and French actor Nassim Lyes — for a certain type of gay person (me), the thought of Heidecker acting in a movie with Stewart is like catnip.
—James Factora, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catnip
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Christine Persaud, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Hidden passageways, dungeons frozen in time, and eerie corridors are like catnip for those with a proclivity toward the paranormal.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
Flies don't like citronella and other strong scents like lavender, rosemary, catnip, and basil.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
Also included in the cast are comedian Tim Heidecker and French actor Nassim Lyes — for a certain type of gay person (me), the thought of Heidecker acting in a movie with Stewart is like catnip.
—James Factora, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catnip
Cite this Entry
“Catnip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catnip. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catnip
noun
cat·nip
-ˌnip 
: a strong-scented herb of the mint family that is especially attractive to cats
Medical Definition
catnip
noun
cat·nip
-ˌnip
variants
also catnep
1
: a strong-scented mint (Nepeta cataria) that has small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats
called also cataria, catmint
2
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