plural nopals or nopales
nō-ˈpä-lās
-ˈpa-
1
: any of a genus (Nopalea) of cacti of Mexico and Central America that differ from the prickly pears in having erect petals and scarlet flowers with the stamens much longer than the petals
broadly
: prickly pear
2
: a fleshy young tender stem segment of the prickly pear cactus (especially Opuntia ficus-indica) or the nopal cactus used as food
Cite this Entry
“Nopal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nopal. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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