: any of several venomous Asian and African elapid snakes (genera Naja and Ophiophagus) that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a hood by movement of the anterior ribs
also
: any of several related African snakes
Examples of cobra in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Share [Findings] Interviews with reptile poachers in southwestern Balochistan indicated that the Caspian cobra, the desert monitor, the Iranian mastigure, Maynard’s longnose sand snake, the Persian spider gecko, and the Tartar sand boa were being captured for use by snake charmers.
—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
In November, a man from Stellenbosch, South Africa, returned home to find a cape cobra coiled under a pillow on his bed.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Just last week, a man in Stellenbosch, South Africa, returned home to find a live cape cobra curled underneath a pillow in his bed.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Cobra or up dog: From chaturanga, choose between cobra or up dog.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cobra 
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.
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
In November, a man from Stellenbosch, South Africa, returned home to find a cape cobra coiled under a pillow on his bed.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Just last week, a man in Stellenbosch, South Africa, returned home to find a live cape cobra curled underneath a pillow in his bed.
—Tabitha Parent, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Cobra or up dog: From chaturanga, choose between cobra or up dog.
—Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cobra
Dictionary Entries Near cobra
Cite this Entry
“Cobra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cobra. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cobra
noun
co·bra
ˈkō-brə 
: any of several poisonous Asian and African snakes that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a hood
also
: any of several related African snakes
Etymology
from Portuguese cobra (de capello) "snake (with a hood)," from Latin colubra "snake"
Word Origin
During the early part of the 16th century, Portuguese traders took control of cities along India's western coast. During this period of contact, the Portuguese became familiar with some of India's animal life. One animal they noticed was a poisonous snake that could expand the skin of its neck to form a hood. The Portuguese called this snake cobra de capello, meaning "snake with a hood." The Portuguese name was first borrowed into English in the 17th century. By the 19th century the name had become shortened to cobra.
Medical Definition
cobra
noun
co·bra
ˈkō-brə
1
: any of several very venomous Asian and African elapid snakes of the genera Naja and Ophiophagus that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a broad hood by movement of the anterior ribs see indian cobra, king cobra
2
: either of two African snakes that spit their venom from a distance:
b
: ringhals
3
: mamba
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share