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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Below, five African adventures—from the deep jungles of Congo to the museums of Benin—that take you far beyond the savanna. Chris Schalkx, Robb Report, 15 May 2025 For the recent study, Rubenstein and his colleagues collected behavioral and genetic information on nine flocks of superb starlings living in East African savannas across 40 breeding seasons, from 2002 to 2021. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025 It’s widely known that the Northern Hemisphere’s summer is a smart time to go on safari, as the wintry conditions in the savanna mean that greenery is sparse and so animals are easier to spot. Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025 After a bit of wandering, the group moved toward a gate on the edge of the savanna. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for savanna

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

Cite this Entry

“Savanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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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