Illustration of octopus
- octopus 1
octopus
noun
oc·to·pus
ˈäk-tə-pəs 
-ˌpu̇s
plural octopuses or octopi
ˈäk-tə-ˌpī
1
plural also octopodes
äk-ˈtä-pə-ˌdēz
-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 sells—
Atlantic
Atlantic
Examples of octopus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In both economy and premium cabins, new interpretations of Korean bibimbap with brisket, octopus, or truffles.
—Chris Dong, AFAR Media, 22 May 2025
Then comes Saturday’s showstopper: the Seafood Slam, featuring over 70 seafood dishes from 25 standout restaurants—think lobster rolls, coconut ceviche, grilled octopus, and smoked crab cigars.
—Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
On the menu was bone marrow, charred octopus with tentacles sprawling off the serving platter, and a deep-red cherry jubilee with an uncanny resemblance to blood (Isabelle even used a flambé technique at the table to wow her guests).
—Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Tracy Morgan is one such person who developed a fascination with the octopus.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for octopus
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Chris Dong, AFAR Media, 22 May 2025
Then comes Saturday’s showstopper: the Seafood Slam, featuring over 70 seafood dishes from 25 standout restaurants—think lobster rolls, coconut ceviche, grilled octopus, and smoked crab cigars.
—Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
On the menu was bone marrow, charred octopus with tentacles sprawling off the serving platter, and a deep-red cherry jubilee with an uncanny resemblance to blood (Isabelle even used a flambé technique at the table to wow her guests).
—Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2025
Tracy Morgan is one such person who developed a fascination with the octopus.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 22 Apr. 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 1 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
octopus
noun
oc·to·pus
ˈäk-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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