llama

noun

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump
especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There were also bones of baby llamas under the fresh lake water. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2024 Earlier this week, Idaho reported that the virus had been detected in a herd of llamas. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024 The forest bath was an offering at the SCP (short for Soul Community Planet) Mendocino Inn and Farm, a serene getaway with a herd of pet llamas and dreamy ocean vistas in the wild country three hours north of San Francisco. Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2023 Andean Explorer, Peru In the 15th century, the Andean Road System was a feat of engineering, where locals used to trek the 18,000 miles of road by foot or by llama. Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for llama 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'llama.' 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, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of llama was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near llama

Cite this Entry

“Llama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/llama. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

llama

noun
lla·​ma ˈläm-ə How to pronounce llama (audio)
: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

More from Merriam-Webster on llama

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