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.
Less well known is their critical role in helping dead things disappear—piles of leaves and rotting stumps, the rat in the street, the elephant on the savanna, the contents of your compost bin. Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025 Black mambas are often seen cruising the savanna with their head and neck held high, using their keen eyesight to scan for danger or track prey – typically small mammals such as hyraxes, bush babies, and rodents. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025 Making his big debut just in time for Earth Month on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna alongside his mother Mara at Disney's Animal Kingdom, Tucker was also joined by grandma Kenya, big sister Maple and friends Willow and Aella. Jen Juneau, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Despite the persistent myth that our species evolved to chase down prey on the savanna, horses will generally beat even the most elite human endurance athletes in contests of speed and distance. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 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 4 Jul. 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

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