savanna

noun

sa·​van·​na sə-ˈva-nə 

variants or less commonly savannah

1

: a treeless plain especially in Florida

2

a

: a tropical or subtropical grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees and drought-resistant undergrowth

b

: a temperate grassland with scattered trees (such as oaks)

Synonyms of savanna

• prairie
• steppe
• plain
• grassland

Examples of savanna in a Sentence

lions roaming the savanna

Recent Examples on the Web

Besides rolling, open savannas and nearby waterholes—with views of the mountains beyond—the sanctuary is home to one of Africa’s largest populations of both black and white rhinos and plays a pivotal role in conservation efforts, too. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 July 2026

Across the Amazon rainforest, cerrado savanna, Atlantic Forest, Pantanal wetland, Caatinga scrub and Pampa grassland, the country’s plant life seems less like one national inheritance than several botanical worlds sharing a border. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

The 119-acre lakefront park, which is actually a peninsula, not an island, features more than 150 varieties of native plants, 20,000 trees and shrubs, a 5-acre pond, strolling paths, and wild prairie grasses and savanna. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 17 June 2026

Finally, Iris is a tribute to the native plant and flower of the sub-Saharan savannas that giraffes call home. — Usa Today, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish zavana, from Taino zabana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for savanna

• arana
• arcana
• banana
• bandana
• bandanna
• brahmana
• cabana
• campana
• diana
• fianna
• hosanna
• hyaena

Kids Definition

savanna

noun

sa·​van·​na

variants also savannah

sə-ˈvan-ə 

: a grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees