guanaco

noun

gua·​na·​co gwə-ˈnä-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce guanaco (audio)
plural guanacos also guanaco
: a long-necked South American mammal (Lama guanicoe) of dry, open country that has a soft, thick fawn-colored coat, is related to the camel but lacks a dorsal hump, and is considered to be the ancestor of the domesticated llama compare alpaca, llama

Illustration of guanaco

Illustration of guanaco

Examples of guanaco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In addition to the cats, the organization is also heavily involved in conservation efforts for the Darwin’s frog—a small amphibian that’s endemic to northern Patagonia—as well as the guanaco, a South American camelid that’s closely related to the llama. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 On the western side of the park is Grey Glacier; wildlife lovers should pinpoint excursions generally to the east, where pumas are more predominant, as are large herds of guanacos. Jordan Harvey, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 The property, which sits in East Atlanta in the midst of the South’s largest city, is only 3.5 acres, but it’s loaded with four alpacas, four llamas, and two guanacos. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 19 Aug. 2024 In fact, the conservation work has been so successful that thousands of guanacos have returned to the valley and with the guanacos come the pumas, the region’s apex predator. Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for guanaco 

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua wanaku

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guanaco was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near guanaco

Cite this Entry

“Guanaco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guanaco. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

guanaco

noun
gua·​na·​co gwə-ˈnäk-ō How to pronounce guanaco (audio)
plural guanacos
: a South American mammal that has a soft thick light grayish brown coat and is related to the camels but lacks a hump

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