llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈlä-mə  ˈyä-mə 

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The word llama comes from Spanish, which borrowed it directly from Quechua, the Indigenous language of the Andes. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Drop in to see exhibitors guide their llamas through various obstacle courses and performance classes. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025

Hyland initially assumed it was made of hair from animals like llamas or alpacas. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

The llamas were chased by police and news helicopters, with the video live-streamed to a rapt online audience monitoring for updates. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 23 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for llama

• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• drama
• gama
• lama
• mama
• mamma
• momma
• rama
• sama

Kids Definition

llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈläm-ə 

: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump