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
Why do my cats find catnip calming instead of invigorating?
—
Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Two strongly scented plants to avoid are catnip and its cousin catmint.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
Such content is catnip for her followers, many of whom enjoy recalling simpler times when Wet 'n Wild polishes were only $1.
—C. Shardae Jobson, Allure, 18 Sep. 2024
Provide a Cat-Friendly Space If stray cats are already visiting your yard, trying using their catnip cravings as a distraction that will help keep kitties away from vegetable and flower beds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catnip 
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Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Two strongly scented plants to avoid are catnip and its cousin catmint.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
Such content is catnip for her followers, many of whom enjoy recalling simpler times when Wet 'n Wild polishes were only $1.
—C. Shardae Jobson, Allure, 18 Sep. 2024
Provide a Cat-Friendly Space If stray cats are already visiting your yard, trying using their catnip cravings as a distraction that will help keep kitties away from vegetable and flower beds.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catnip
Dictionary Entries Near catnip
Cite this Entry
“Catnip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catnip. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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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