savanna

noun

sa·​van·​na sə-ˈva-nə How to pronounce savanna (audio)
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)

Examples of savanna in a Sentence

lions roaming the savanna
Recent Examples on the Web Tropical savannas are the most flammable biome on the planet, burning as often as twice per year. Christopher Roos, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024 Some of the world’s most recognizable animals, with their distinct ears, protruding tusks and large trunks, wild elephants are most often found in the savannas and deserts of Africa and Asia. Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024 Scientists like Edson Lobato discovered ways to turn the acidic soil of Brazil’s vast central savanna know as the cerrado into fertile farmland. Patricia Nogueira-Neidlinger, Foreign Affairs, 29 June 2016 But new research suggests wild African elephants may pick their own names, too—and use them to call and greet one another on the savanna. Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for savanna 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savanna.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish zavana, from Taino zabana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of savanna was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near savanna

Cite this Entry

“Savanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

savanna

noun
sa·​van·​na
variants also savannah
: a grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees

More from Merriam-Webster on savanna

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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