python

noun py·thon \ ˈpī-ˌthän , -thən \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Definition of python

: any of various large constricting snakes; especially : any of the large oviparous snakes (subfamily Pythoninae of the family Boidae) of Africa, Asia, Australia, and adjacent islands that include some of the largest existing snakes

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Recent Examples of python from the Web

In a series of events fresh out of a horror movie, a python nearly made it onboard a plane in Miami on Sunday.

— monica rodriguez, Fortune, "Passenger Tried to Smuggle Large Snake on a Plane, TSA Says," 10 July 2018
Rock pythons are the largest species of snake in Africa and kill their prey by squeezing them and depriving them of air.

— fernando ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "8-foot pet snake strangled owner to death, says medical examiner," 24 Jan. 2018
Sari Koshetz, a spokeswoman for the TSA, told the newspaper that a bomb expert then examined the bag and found the python — still alive — in the hard drive.

— dana hedgpeth, The Seattle Times, "Man tried to bring python on plane by hiding it inside a computer hard drive," 10 July 2018
The workers – carefully – removed the python from the line and called animal control.

— megan janetsky, azcentral, "Ack! Surprise resident recycles 6-foot python," 27 June 2018
And if your bumblebee ball python should go missing from its tank, just be sure to check under the refrigerator.

— stephanie talmadge, GQ, "The Brotherhood of Snake Owners in the NBA," 13 June 2018
Their travels together have led to some ideal photo ops Prince Harry and Prince William (R) hold an African rock python during a visit to Mokolodi Education Centre on June 15, 2010 in Gaborone, Botswana.

— raisa bruner, Time, "Prince William and Prince Harry's Most Iconic Moments Together," 26 Apr. 2018
One survey found that 26 percent of the village's men had been attacked by pythons.

— National Geographic, "Python Swallows Woman Whole—What Experts Say About the Rare Attack," 18 June 2018
Last week during Pitti Uomo, the world’s largest men’s clothing trade show, held in Florence, Italy twice a year, the 50-year-old brand previewed a scaly yet bizarrely soft python jacket, in not one but three colors.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "In Our Sweatshirted Times, These Brands Are Going All In on Extreme Luxury," 18 June 2018

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