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

Illustration of octopus

• octopus 1

Examples of octopus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

TikTok saga is not just about an octopus and her eggs. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

For a while, the family nurtured Cal’s interest by buying him octopus toys and octopus T-shirts, dressing him as an octopus for Halloween and taking him to aquariums to see live octopuses. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024

The movie contains many of Park’s trademarks—a reversal at the midpoint, washes of hyperreal green, a chamber of private violence, octopus stuff—and is the first to fully marry his intensity and his restraint. —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

Largely regarded as one of the best in the U.S., this aquarium is celebrated for its living kelp forest, home to wildlife like red octopuses and leopard sharks. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024

Don’t miss the killer cocktails and the fiery spiced lamb and octopus dishes cooked on a smoky open grill. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024

Tapas on the menu at Bodega Biondi include meatballs, Italian beef sliders, gnocchi, Galician-style octopus and tortilla espanola, a Spanish-style omelet with potatoes, onion, romesco sauce and garlic aioli. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024

In the ocean, sharks, large fish, octopuses, and occasionally marine mammals target young and adult sea turtles alike. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024

There are eight stacking cups, four floating squirt animal balls, one floating blue octopus, and an organizing bag with sticker hooks and suction cups. —Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Octopod-, Octopus, from Greek oktōpous

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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"