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
Here, Hensman keeps a herd of seven African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana).
—
Ed Stoddard, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2025
The species was once plentiful in Brazil’s savanna, or Cerrado, until farming and timber plantations took over the landscape, according to the zoo.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Wild animals and desperate poachers lurk in the savanna, but the true apex predator just might be a fellow traveler sitting calmly on the Jeep during those game drives.
—Andrea Bartz, People.com, 18 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for savanna
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Ed Stoddard, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 June 2025
The species was once plentiful in Brazil’s savanna, or Cerrado, until farming and timber plantations took over the landscape, according to the zoo.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
Wild animals and desperate poachers lurk in the savanna, but the true apex predator just might be a fellow traveler sitting calmly on the Jeep during those game drives.
—Andrea Bartz, People.com, 18 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for savanna
Cite this Entry
“Savanna.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savanna. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
savanna
noun
sa·van·na
variants
also savannah
: a grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees
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