constrictor

noun

con·​stric·​tor kən-ˈstrik-tər How to pronounce constrictor (audio)
Synonyms of constrictornext
1
: a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ
2
: a snake (such as a boa constrictor) that coils around and compresses prey
3
: one that constricts

Examples of constrictor in a Sentence

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.
Pythons are constrictors, known to grip prey in their jaws, coil around it, then squeeze until the victim capitulates. — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2025 The snake was identified as a carpet python, a non-venomous constrictor commonly found in Australia’s coastal regions. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026 That’s not far off from the average size of the world’s longest constrictor alive, the reticulated python, which typically grows to around 20 feet. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 If this animal sounds like a Burmese python, that’s because the serpent-like fish — known as Asian swamp eels — have a lot in common with the big, invasive constrictors. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for constrictor

Word History

First Known Use

1735, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of constrictor was in 1735

Phrases Containing constrictor

Rhymes for constrictor

See All Rhymes for constrictor

Browse Nearby Words

constrictive
constrictor
constrictor knot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Constrictor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constrictor. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

constrictor

noun
con·​stric·​tor kən-ˈstrik-tər How to pronounce constrictor (audio)
: a snake that kills its prey by coiling around and crushing it

Medical Definition

constrictor

noun
con·​stric·​tor -ˈstrik-tər How to pronounce constrictor (audio)
: a muscle that contracts a cavity or orifice or compresses an organ see inferior constrictor, middle constrictor, superior constrictor

More from Merriam-Webster on constrictor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for constrictor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All