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

There, twice a month, the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society holds court, its members arrayed in corsets, feather boas, ripped jeans and lovingly detailed costumes that evoke their favorite movie's main characters. —Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025

In January, the pair had an epic mommy-and-me night at the Valentino show in Paris, turning heads in coordinating outfits that consisted of black dresses, boas and sunglasses. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025

Noam Galai / Getty Images for MTV Details of Sabrina Carpenter's boa and custom rings. —Justine Goode, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2025

Black beauty editors donned fur boas and danced while swatching shimmer carnival-like pigments. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 26 Aug. 2025

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