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Definition of anaconda

anaconda

/ˌæn.əˈkɑːn.də/
an · a · con · da
Plural:anacondas
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anaconda Lexical Profile

• 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

• Nearby Words

amusingly
amusingness
anachronism
anaconda
anacyclus
anadyr
anagallis

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.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anaconda. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anaconda
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