The tentacles of an animal such as an octopus are the long thin parts that are used for feeling and holding things, for getting food, and for moving.
2. countable noun [usually plural]
If you talk about the tentacles of a political, commercial, or social organization, you are referring to the power and influence that it has in the outside community.
[disapproval]
Free speech is being gradually eroded year after year by new tentacles of governmentcontrol. [+ of]
tentacle in British English
(ˈtɛntəkəl)
noun
1.
any of various elongated flexible organs that occur near the mouth in many invertebrates and are used for feeding, grasping, etc
2.
any of the hairs on the leaf of an insectivorous plant that are used to capture prey
3.
something resembling a tentacle, esp in its ability to reach out or grasp
Derived forms
tentacled (ˈtentacled)
adjective
tentacle-like (ˈtentacle-ˌlike) or tentaculoid (tɛnˈtækjʊˌlɔɪd)
adjective
tentacular (tɛnˈtækjʊlə)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from New Latin tentāculum, from Latin tentāre, variant of temptāre to feel
tentacle in American English
(ˈtɛntəkəl)
noun
1.
any of a variety of long, slender, flexible growths, as about the head or mouth of some invertebrate animals, used variously for grasping,feeling, moving, etc.
2. Botany
any of various sensitive hairs on the leaves of some plants, as those used in capturing insects
Derived forms
tentacled (ˈtentacled)
adjective
tentacular (tenˈtacular) (tɛnˈtækjulər)
adjective
Word origin
ModL tentaculum < L tentare, to touch: see tent2
Examples of 'tentacle' in a sentence
tentacle
Thus the tentacles of an octopus are being compared with the body of a snake.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These are the tentacles of power and influence that have grown through a lifetime in the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
When fitted, it looks as though an alien has spread its tentacles across your scalp.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Its tentacles reach hundreds and thousands of honourable volunteers who have to submit to repetitive checks that are often both offensive and ludicrous.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Its tentacles have reached most of the world's telecoms companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In energy the government 's tentacles extended through electricity and gas into oil and the coal industry.
Redwood, John The Global Marketplace (1993)
As their cash balances have swollen, companies have begun to spread their tentacles beyond the trading floor.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I felt like an octopus with tentacles in eight different directions.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
IT is a revolting crime that is spreading its tentacles across Britain.
The Sun (2011)
Or rather, a medium-sized pile of long white tentacles tinged with pale green.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
For all its suckers, slime and tentacles, preparing octopus is actually quite straightforward.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Its tentacles now spread across 300 countries and it employs more than 29,000 people.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
First, because it creeps out, its tentacles spread.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The bank's tentacles reach deep into the new Establishment.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Thousands of vehicles are caught in a daily gridlock whose tentacles spread across southeast London and into Kent.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Oval in shape, with a transparent float and distinctive crest, the organism has venomous trailing tentacles many yards long.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In Liverpool, criminal networks are deeply embedded and run by a number of families whose tentacles spread well beyond the city.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
As it spreads its tentacles through space and cyberspace, citizens of the real world should remember: they have a choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
tentacle
British English: tentacle NOUN
The tentacles of an animal such as an octopus are the long thin parts that are used for feeling and holding things, for getting food, and for moving.