To save this word, you'll need to log in.
tai·pan | \ ˈtī-ˌpan 
, ˈtī-ˈpän \
, ˈtī-ˈpän \Definition of taipan
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a powerful businessman and especially formerly a foreigner living and operating in Hong Kong or China
taipan
noun (2)tai·pan | \ ˈtī-ˌpan \
\Definition of taipan (Entry 2 of 2)
: an exceedingly venomous elapid snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus) of northern Australia and New Guinea also : a related snake (O. microlepidotus)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on taipan
What made you want to look up taipan? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share taipan
Time Traveler for taipan
The first known use of taipan was in 1834
See more words from the same year