noun
saguaro
suh-GWAH-roh/səˈɡwɑːrəʊ/
A tall, branching cactus native to the Sonoran Desert.
A tall saguaro spreads its thick arms against the desert sky.
Etymology
The Mexican Spanish word names the giant branching desert cactus. It comes from an Indigenous name of unknown origin, perhaps Yaqui, whose literal meaning is not established by the evidence.
In context
a forest of cacti it takes 65 years for a saguaro cactus to develop its first limb the lack of water prevents a faster growth rate
More examples
- Several saguaros stand along the rocky trail.
- A woodpecker nests in a hole in the saguaro.
- The young saguaro has not grown any arms yet.
Forms
saguaro · saguaros
Similar words
- cactus
- Names the broader plant group, not this particular species.