prickly pear

noun

1. any of numerous cacti of the genus Opuntia, having flattened, usually spiny stem joints, yellow, orange, or reddish flowers, and ovoid, often edible fruit.
2. the usually prickly fruit of such a cactus.

prickly pear

noun

1. any of various tropical cacti of the genus Opuntia, having flattened or cylindrical spiny joints and oval fruit that is edible in some species See also cholla nopal
2. the fruit of any of these plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of prickly pear¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

The plant Mexicans most identify with is the prickly pear cactus.

From Los Angeles Times

She had come to deliver an order of her frozen prickly pear and lime pops but was preoccupied by a just-released decision by Arizona’s highest court that upheld an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions.

From New York Times

In a prickly pear thicket somewhere in eastern Spain, a troop of predatory ants moves in for the kill.

From Science Magazine

In a thicket of prickly pear cacti near Valencia, Spain, a troop of predatory ants moves in for the kill.

From Science Magazine

One lush drawing shows a woman sleeping on the ground before a formidable wall of prickly pear cactus, an entangled piñata floating above like a tantalizing, delight-filled dream that is just out of reach.

From Los Angeles Times