Illustration of anaconda
anaconda
noun
an·a·con·da ˌa-nə-ˈkän-də 
: a large semiaquatic constricting snake (Eunectes murinus) of the boa family of tropical South America that may reach a length of 30 feet (9.1 meters)
broadly : any of the large constricting snakes
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Upon reviewing the images, the team found that the dolphins were holding a Beni anaconda in their mouths, reports Carolyn Wilke for the New York Times. 
Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 The strange interlude lasted seven minutes, reports Business Insider’s Kelsey Vlamis, and the semiaquatic anaconda most likely perished from being submerged for so long. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 The scientists still have many questions about why the dolphins held the anaconda. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 Critics of the stunt argue that a human’s shoulder width is too wide to fit the anaconda’s body, which could cause the animal physical and emotional pain. The Editors, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2014 That was my first idea, to make J.Lo wet and have a huge anaconda all over my body! Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2022 The Amazonian anaconda belongs to the boa constrictor family. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022 On Exile, Brendan and I saw a full contingent of crew members wrestling with an anaconda. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2021 Its animal residents include the heaviest snake in the world, a massive green anaconda, and a jaguar named Tesoro. Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, 16 Sep. 2020 See More
Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 The strange interlude lasted seven minutes, reports Business Insider’s Kelsey Vlamis, and the semiaquatic anaconda most likely perished from being submerged for so long. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 The scientists still have many questions about why the dolphins held the anaconda. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2022 Critics of the stunt argue that a human’s shoulder width is too wide to fit the anaconda’s body, which could cause the animal physical and emotional pain. The Editors, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2014 That was my first idea, to make J.Lo wet and have a huge anaconda all over my body! Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2022 The Amazonian anaconda belongs to the boa constrictor family. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022 On Exile, Brendan and I saw a full contingent of crew members wrestling with an anaconda. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2021 Its animal residents include the heaviest snake in the world, a massive green anaconda, and a jaguar named Tesoro. Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, 16 Sep. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
probably modification of Sinhalese henakandayā, a slender green snake
First Known Use
1748, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
anaconda
noun
an·a·con·da ˌa-nə-ˈkän-də
: a large South American snake that squeezes its prey to death
Geographical Definition
Anaconda
geographical name
An·a·con·da ˌa-nə-ˈkän-də
city in southwestern Montana that grew rapidly following the building of a copper-smelting plant in 1884 and expanded to contain one of the largest nonferrous production plants in the world population 9298
anaconda
noun
as in python
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- python
- cobra
- rattlesnake
- boa
- mamba
- constrictor
- copperhead
- bushmaster
- moccasin
- taipan
- asp
- krait
- adder
- racer
- water snake
- milk snake
- coral snake
- garter snake
- hognose snake
- blacksnake
- bull snake
- green snake
- indigo snake
- sea snake
- cottonmouth moccasin
- water moccasin
- worm snake
- rat snake
- pit viper
- gopher snake
- diamondback rattlesnake
- black racer
- sea serpent
- pine snake
- chicken snake
- blue racer
- fer-de-lance
- king snake
- king cobra
- sidewinder
- horned viper
- viper
- puff adder
- snake
- serpent