liana

noun

li·​a·​na lē-ˈä-nə  -ˈa- 

variants or less commonly liane

lē-ˈän  -ˈan 

: any of various usually woody vines especially of tropical rainforests that root in the ground

Examples of liana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Growing as a liana, or a ropy vine, Triphyophyllum peltatum can reach more than 160 feet in length and traps insects in sticky glands that grow along it. — Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025

If lianas can climb all the way up it and lay their leaves on top, that's not very good for that tree. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025

In a typical lightning strike in a tropical forest, the lightning attaches directly to a large-canopy tree and the electrical current moves through air gaps, branches or lianas to damage neighboring trees, according to previous research. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2025

The warming of low-elevation tropical forests is driving lianas to strangle trees. — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Famously, the liana is one of the two main ingredients in a ritual drink called ayahuasca, which can induce hallucinations or an altered state of mind. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 16 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

French liane

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for liana

• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna
• fauna
• gonna
• jnana
• mana
• sauna
• tswana
• wanna
• asana

Kids Definition

liana

noun

li·​a·​na lē-ˈän-ə  -ˈan-ə 

: any of various usually woody vines especially of tropical rain forests that root in the ground