savanna

noun

sa·​van·​na sə-ˈva-nə How to pronounce savanna (audio)
variants or less commonly savannah
Synonyms of savannanext
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)

Synonyms of savanna

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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.
Palos Hills and its diverse ecosystems of grasslands, wetlands, savannas, and woodlands. — Diane Penningroth, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026 Finally, Iris is a tribute to the native plant and flower of the sub-Saharan savannas that giraffes call home. — Usa Today, USA Today, 16 June 2026 Set on a tiny, exceedingly private spit of land deep inside a national park, the property spans wetlands, savanna, and Rwanda’s quintessential hillscapes. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026 Deforestation over the same period fell 12% in the Cerrado, a savanna in central Brazil that has long been under pressure from the powerful agribusiness sector. — Gabriela Sa Pessoa, Fortune, 12 June 2026 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

Rhymes for savanna

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Browse Nearby Words

savanilla rhatany
savanna
savanna blackbird
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Cite this Entry

“Savanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

savanna

noun
sa·​van·​na
variants also savannah
sə-ˈvan-ə How to pronounce savanna (audio)
: a grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees

More from Merriam-Webster on savanna

Nglish: Translation of savanna for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about savanna

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