taipan

1 of 2

noun (1)

tai·​pan ˈtī-ˌpan  ˈtī-ˈpän 

: a powerful businessman and especially formerly a foreigner living and operating in Hong Kong or China

taipan

2 of 2

noun (2)

tai·​pan ˈtī-ˌpan 

: an exceedingly venomous elapid snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus) of northern Australia and New Guinea

also : either of two related snakes (O. microlepidotus and O. temporalis)

Examples of taipan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Inland taipan Often described as the world’s most venomous snake based on laboratory toxicity tests, the inland taipan possesses venom capable of attacking the nervous system, muscles, and blood. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026

The inventory also listed an inland taipan, which is considered one of the most venomous snakes on Earth. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

The inland taipan’s success is dependent on its ability to capture small mammalian prey efficiently and safely. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The snakes come from the elapid family and include cobras, mambas, taipans, coral snakes, and kraits — among other venomous species. — Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Chinese (Guangdong) daaih-bāan, from daaih big + bāan class

Noun (2)

Wik Munkan (Australian aboriginal language of northern Queensland) dhayban

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1933, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for taipan

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman