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

According to the African Wildlife Foundation, serval cats are most commonly found on savannas and possess long necks and legs that enable them to see over tall grass. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

Large patches of farmland, savanna and forest remained intact. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

McCauley said being a ferry pilot has provided him so many opportunities — flying low over the African savanna, over Greenland ice caps, and so many more places. —Celeste Edenloff, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2025

The path passes wetlands and savannas before reaching the lake. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2025

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