llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈlä-mə  ˈyä-mə 

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Retailing for $1,000 for women and $1,200 for men, the new sweater is made of Vicuña, a Peruvian relative of the llama, that is one of the rarest natural fibers in the world. —Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025

Enlisting help from alpacas and llamas But as dangerous as elapids are to humans, other mammals contain their own potential protections. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2025

Visit ostriches, emus, llamas, pigs, and more. —Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025

The farm is home to goats, Holstein cows, potbellied and kune kune pigs, donkeys, sheep, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, guinea fowl, guinea pigs, geese, chickens, a Shetland pony, and a Shire horse. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for llama

• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• drama
• gama
• lama
• mama
• mamma
• momma
• rama
• sama

Kids Definition

llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈläm-ə 

: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump