savanna elephant

noun

variants or savannah elephant

: an African elephant of sub-Saharan savannas that is sometimes considered a species (Loxodonta africana) or subspecies (Loxodonta africana africana) distinct from the forest elephant

Biologists know a great deal about the savanna elephant, the world's largest land mammal, which is easy to spot and easy to monitor. But the forest elephants … are smaller, more elusive creatures.—

Peter Canby, Harper's, July 2002

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of savanna elephant was in 1940

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Savanna elephant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna%20elephant. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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