Illustration of king cobra
king cobra
noun
: a large cobra (Ophiophagus hannah synonym Naja hannah) of southeastern Asia and the Philippines that may attain a length of 18 feet (5.5 meters)
Examples of king cobra in a Sentence
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These king cobras prefer the cool, rainy montane forests along Goa’s eastern border, not the dry, lowland western part of the state, says study co-author Hinrich Kaiser, a herpetologist at Victor Valley College in California.
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Richard Kemeny, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Amidst the many water monitors and garden lizards, guests might catch a glimpse of a snake lounging along the preserve, with resident species spanning from the Russell’s viper to the king cobra, a colossal creature that’s capable of measuring in at more than five meters in length.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In mouse trials, the antidote was found to be protective against venom from the black mamba, king cobra, coral snakes and tiger snakes, among others.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
New research published in Cell discusses the first use of human antibodies to help create an antivenom that can be effective against multiple species of venomous snakes, including black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
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Richard Kemeny, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Amidst the many water monitors and garden lizards, guests might catch a glimpse of a snake lounging along the preserve, with resident species spanning from the Russell’s viper to the king cobra, a colossal creature that’s capable of measuring in at more than five meters in length.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In mouse trials, the antidote was found to be protective against venom from the black mamba, king cobra, coral snakes and tiger snakes, among others.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2025
New research published in Cell discusses the first use of human antibodies to help create an antivenom that can be effective against multiple species of venomous snakes, including black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for king cobra
Cite this Entry
“King cobra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/king%20cobra. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
king cobra
noun
king co·bra
ˈkiŋ-ˈkō-brə 
: a large and very venomous cobra of the genus Ophiophagus (O. hannah synonym Naja hannah) of southeastern Asia and the Philippines that may attain a length of 18 feet (5.5 meters)
called also hamadryad
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