savanna

noun

sa·​van·​na sə-ˈva-nə How to pronounce savanna (audio)
variants or less commonly savannah
1
: a treeless plain especially in Florida
2
a
: a tropical or subtropical grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees and drought-resistant undergrowth
b
: a temperate grassland with scattered trees (such as oaks)

Examples of savanna in a Sentence

lions roaming the savanna
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Shakespearean undercurrents provide the pulse of the narrative, a cat fight for the throne of a pride of lions on an African savanna alongside a coming-of-age cat tale. Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025 One elephant reminded me of Cora, the youngest elephant on the park’s Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2025 Lions on the East African savannas struggled to hunt zebras because of a single ant species. The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2024 It’s known mostly for the Namib Desert coming down to the Atlantic Ocean coast, but also for mountains, canyons and savannas. Lea Lane, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for savanna

Word History

Etymology

Spanish zavana, from Taino zabana

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of savanna was in 1555

Cite this Entry

“Savanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

savanna

noun
sa·​van·​na
variants also savannah
: a grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees

More from Merriam-Webster on savanna

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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