boa

noun

ˈbō-ə 

1

: any of a family (Boidae) of large snakes that kill by constriction and that includes the boa constrictor, anaconda, and python

2

: a long fluffy scarf

Examples of boa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rae’s setup was meticulous, maximalist, and totally unified—the boa made of hundred-dollar bills, the backup dancers who looked vaguely like mimes, the scaffolding that suggested Moulin Rouge! —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026

The post was of the singer-songwriter sipping champagne while wearing a feather-boa dress. —Bryan West, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

If the Brits are anything to go by, feather boas and harlequin jumpsuits are out, and French-girl flats are in. —Alice Newbold, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2026

Lee, who has been sober for 30 years, recounts wearing a feather boa and dancing on top of the bar with an inflatable alien hanging from the ceiling. —Leanne Battelle, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, a water snake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing boa

• boa constrictor

Rhymes for boa

• bryozoa
• metazoa
• polyzoa
• protozoa
• noa
• noah
• shoah
• toa
• quinoa
• spermatozoa

Kids Definition

boa

noun

ˈbō-ə 

1

: any of various large snakes (as the boa constrictor, anaconda, or python) that crushes its prey

2

: a long fluffy scarf of fur, feathers, or fabric