constrictor
noun
con·stric·tor
kən-ˈstrik-tər 
1
: a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ
2
: a snake (such as a boa constrictor) that coils around and compresses prey
3
: one that constricts
Examples of constrictor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The animals typically feed on fruits, seeds, nuts and invertebrates, the zoo added, and their main predators are large birds of prey, jaguars, ocelots and large constrictor snakes.
—
Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2023
The nonvenomous 17-foot constrictor then tried to wrap herself around the sweating Kirkland, who slipped through coil after coil.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 18 Aug. 2023
An unwanted shopping partner:Boa constrictor snake found curled up in Target cart in Iowa
New cart design liked by some, roll out unclear
The condemnation was not universal, with some customers writing in praise of the cart.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Conservancy of Southwest Florida Burmese pythons are nonvenomous constrictors that have long been an invasive species in Florida, primarily living in and around the Everglades in South Florida.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 July 2023
With its rib constrictor and a removable bladder (filled with water), the vest simulates the physical discomfort of pregnancy.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
The 2-year-old sniffer dogs are the latest weapons in the battle against the destructive Burmese python, an exotic constrictor that’s devouring entire populations of small mammals, raiding wading bird nests and disrupting the natural balance of predator and prey.
—sun-sentinel.com, 11 Mar. 2021
Birds and mammals need a lot of oxygen to fuel their burning metabolisms, and a constrictor should be able to kill them in just a few minutes.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2012
Flickr/jinterwasWe all know that constrictor snakes, like pythons and boa constrictors, kill by squeezing their prey.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
See More
Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 7 Oct. 2023
The nonvenomous 17-foot constrictor then tried to wrap herself around the sweating Kirkland, who slipped through coil after coil.
—Max G. Levy, WIRED, 18 Aug. 2023
An unwanted shopping partner:Boa constrictor snake found curled up in Target cart in Iowa
New cart design liked by some, roll out unclear
The condemnation was not universal, with some customers writing in praise of the cart.
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Conservancy of Southwest Florida Burmese pythons are nonvenomous constrictors that have long been an invasive species in Florida, primarily living in and around the Everglades in South Florida.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 13 July 2023
With its rib constrictor and a removable bladder (filled with water), the vest simulates the physical discomfort of pregnancy.
—Mike Austin, Car and Driver, 15 Apr. 2023
The 2-year-old sniffer dogs are the latest weapons in the battle against the destructive Burmese python, an exotic constrictor that’s devouring entire populations of small mammals, raiding wading bird nests and disrupting the natural balance of predator and prey.
—sun-sentinel.com, 11 Mar. 2021
Birds and mammals need a lot of oxygen to fuel their burning metabolisms, and a constrictor should be able to kill them in just a few minutes.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2012
Flickr/jinterwasWe all know that constrictor snakes, like pythons and boa constrictors, kill by squeezing their prey.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'constrictor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing constrictor
Dictionary Entries Near constrictor
Cite this Entry
“Constrictor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constrictor. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
constrictor
noun
con·stric·tor
kən-ˈstrik-tər
: a snake that kills its prey by coiling around and crushing it
Medical Definition
constrictor
noun
con·stric·tor
-ˈstrik-tər
: a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ see inferior constrictor, middle constrictor, superior constrictor
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