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Definition of anaconda
anaconda
/ˌæn.əˈkɑːn.də/
an · a · con · da
Plural:anacondas
anaconda Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A large, non-venomous, semi-aquatic snake belonging to the boa family, native to the tropical rainforests and river basins of South America, known for killing its prey by constriction and being one of the largest and heaviest snakes in the world.
Example
"The expedition carefully navigated the shallow tributaries of the Amazon, ever watchful for a massive green anaconda resting near the muddy banks."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for anaconda• Rhymes for anaconda
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 18th century; of uncertain origin. It likely derives from Sinhalese 'henakandayā' (a whip snake) or Tamil 'āṇaikkonḍa' (having killed an elephant), originally applied to a Ceylonese python and later mistakenly transferred to the South American boa by European zoologists.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anaconda. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anaconda