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
2
: something very attractive
Examples of catnip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His Inflation Reduction Act and electric-vehicle subsidies and environmental regulations are catnip for the green movement.
—
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 11 May 2024
The riverside market town, Totnes, has become a byword for an outdoorsy, artistic community—catnip to the tourists who bunch around the estate agent windows.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for catnip 
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 11 May 2024
The riverside market town, Totnes, has become a byword for an outdoorsy, artistic community—catnip to the tourists who bunch around the estate agent windows.
—Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for catnip
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catnip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Catnip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catnip. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catnip
noun
cat·nip
-ˌnip 
: a strong-scented herb of the mint family that is especially attractive to cats
Medical Definition
catnip
noun
cat·nip
-ˌnip
variants
also catnep
1
: a strong-scented mint (Nepeta cataria) that has small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats
called also cataria, catmint
2
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