especially: an opuntia with flattened, usually paddle-shaped, jointed stem segments compare cholla, nopal
2
or prickly pear fruit: the pulpy, pear- or egg-shaped, edible, yellow to purplish-red fruit of various prickly pears (such as Opuntia ficus-indica) see tunaentry 2
Illustration of prickly pear
prickly pear 1
Examples of prickly pear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebThe formula contains aloe vera and prickly pear to soothe the skin while also helping to repair and soften it on a deeper level.—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024 Some of the Arizona ingredients the brewers use in their brews are prickly pear, Arizona citrus and mulberries.—The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024 Succulents: coral aloe (Aloe striata), prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), yucca.—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024 It’s formulated with nourishing hair ingredients such as squalane, prickly pear cactus, meadowfoam oil, and quinoa.—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prickly pear
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prickly pear.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Share