'Tis the season to enjoy (and gift!) Related: The Most Confusing Pet Behaviors, Explained. Send us feedback. They are best planted in early spring and prefer sandy soil and full sun. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. Catnip is commonly used to encourage cats to explore and play, but it can also be used as a training aid. nip | \ ˈkat-ˌnip \ Definition of catnip 1 : a strong-scented perennial mint ( Nepeta cataria ) that has whorls of small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats You can purchase catnip toys and dried catnip in most pet stores (or online, such as SmartyKat Organic Catnip); dried catnip does not contain as much nepetalactone oil as fresh catnip, so it tends to smell stronger and is still enticing to cats. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. This keeps the toys novel and fun. Any of various other mostly aromatic plants of the genus Nepeta, cultivated for their ornamental foliage and clusters of blue, lavender, or white flowers. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Brit., catmint. Note: We have 1 other definition for CATNIP in our Acronym Attic. Catnip is a magical plant indeed, for both felines and humans. The plant produces this chemical (nepetalactone) in microscopic bulbs that coat its leaves, stems, and seedpods. Catmint definition, catnip. Welcome guests to your home this autumn with rustic gourd garlands, decorated pumpkins, and wreaths and centerpieces made from foraged materials. Most cat caregivers have offered their cat a sniff or taste of catnip and watched as their feline friends enjoyed it—eating, smelling, rolling around in it, or simply lounging in a relaxed state—but what exactly is catnip and why do cats seemingly go crazy for it? nip (kăt′nĭp′) n. 1. Noun: catnip |'kat,nip| Hairy aromatic perennial herb having whorls of small white purple-spotted flowers in a terminal spike; used in the past as a domestic remedy; strongly attractive to cats. The active ingredient is called nepetalactone, which many domestic cats respond to in a variety of different ways. Also, esp. While it's originally native to Europe and Asia, it now grows wild across the country along roads and highways. Definition and synonyms of catnip from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. 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Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. ‘biotech stocks have become catnip to investors this year’. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. What made you want to look up catnip? It is spelled as [kat-nip]. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Which of the following words shares a root with. Irresistable to cats, its mildly stimulant properties can trigger a large range of behaviors that can be collectively described as … Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Our fall-focused indoor and outdoor decorating ideas are guaranteed ways to make the perfect first impression when family and friends come calling on Thanksgivingâor any day during the season. Catnip definition, a plant, Nepeta cataria, of the mint family, having egg-shaped leaves containing aromatic oils that are a cat attractant. WORD GAMES. Accessed 12 Dec. 2020. (Fun fact: It affects big cats like lions and tigers as well.) showing only Slang/Internet Slang definitions (show all 5 definitions). Cat Love Bites: What Do They Mean? Definition of catnip written for English Language Learners from the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and count/noncount noun labels. A hairy aromatic perennial herb (Nepeta cataria) in the mint family, native to Eurasia and containing an aromatic oil to which cats are strongly attracted. From foraged materials may or may not meet accessibility guidelines - Translation to,... Not respond again to catnip for at least a couple of hours - and learn some interesting along! Definition: 1. a herb whose smell is very attractive to cats a plant—known scientifically as cataria... 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