anaconda

noun

an·​a·​con·​da ˌa-nə-ˈkän-də 

: a large semiaquatic constricting snake (Eunectes murinus) of the boa family of tropical South America that may reach a length of 30 feet (9.1 meters)

broadly : any of the large constricting snakes

Illustration of anaconda

Examples of anaconda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The project starts to unravel when life imitates art and a real anaconda begins hunting them down. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Dec. 2025

This time around, an anaconda is being experimented on in a secret facility in Romania using blood orchids (the mythical flower from the previous movie). —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025

Lopez starred as Terri Flores, the doc's director who ultimately shoots the anaconda dead and survives, after several members of her crew are killed by the bloodthirsty beast. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025

Once the quartet hits the Amazon, of course, all heck breaks loose, leading to showdown between this motley crew and the ginormous anaconda (the CGI effects are good, not overdone). —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Sinhalese henakandayā, a slender green snake

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anaconda

• honda

Kids Definition

anaconda

noun

an·​a·​con·​da ˌan-ə-ˈkän-də 

: a large South American snake that crushes its prey in its coils

also : any large snake that crushes its prey like an anaconda

Geographical Definition

Anaconda

geographical name

An·​a·​con·​da ˌa-nə-ˈkän-də 

city in southwestern Montana that grew rapidly following the building of a copper-smelting plant in 1884 and expanded to contain one of the largest nonferrous production plants in the world population 9298