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

Illustration of anaconda

Examples of anaconda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year’s Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City, by the way — where Rudd’s presence is guaranteed barring any unfortunate anaconda accidents — is set for May 30-31. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025

Green anacondas can be 20 to 30 feet in length, and can weigh over 550 pounds, according to National Geographic. —Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024

Researchers also said one of the northern green anacondas measured 6.3 meters (about 20 feet). —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 25 Dec. 2024

The original 1997 Anaconda starred Jennifer Lopez, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson and Ice Cube and followed a National Geographic-esque film crew that is taken hostage by an insane hunter, who forces them along on his quest to capture the world’s largest and deadliest snake, an anaconda. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024

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 ˌan-ə-ˈkän-də 

: a large South American snake that crushes its prey in its coils

also : any large snake that crushes its prey like an anaconda

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