boa constrictor

noun

Updated on: 30 Mar 2018

Definition of boa constrictor

: a tropical American boa (Boa constrictor synonym Constrictor constrictor) that is light brown barred or mottled with darker brown and reaches a length of 10 feet (3 meters) or more; broadly : boa 1

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Recent Examples of boa constrictor from the Web

Apart from the one about the mother-in-law and the sharks...the taxman and the boa constrictor....

— The Economist, "Ken Dodd died on March 11th," 22 Mar. 2018
The close-up photo of a snake, which was taken in the same area, is definitely a boa constrictor.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Big snake prompts big concern in Birmingham community," 5 Mar. 2018
Police were called to an Asheville hotel on Monday for an unusual guest – a 5-foot-long boa constrictor.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "Housekeepers find 5-foot boa constrictor in NC hotel bed | Charlotte Observer," 24 Oct. 2017
The Observer reported earlier this week that a 5-foot boa constrictor was found in a bed at an Asheville hotel on Monday.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "6-foot boa constrictor captured in Charlotte yard, origin a mystery," 25 Oct. 2017
Rosenthal, known to inject levity into intense legal proceedings, likened herself to a boa constrictor trying to gain control of an elephant but indicated the herculean task was doable.

— gabrielle banks, Houston Chronicle, "Harvey suits flood in as federal judges vet lead lawyers," 2 Nov. 2017
The edge-seeking animals are more likely to be generalists or invasive species, like green iguanas and boa constrictors.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Forest Animals Are Living on the Edge," 1 Nov. 2017
This unit is more like a boa constrictor, ensnaring its prey in a vice-like grip.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "How Alabama chopped down Arkansas and its big QB," 14 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boa constrictor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of boa constrictor

1771

BOA CONSTRICTOR Defined for English Language Learners

boa constrictor

noun

Definition of boa constrictor for English Language Learners

: a large brown snake that crushes the animals it eats by squeezing them with its body and that lives in the tropical regions of Central and South America