llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈlä-mə  ˈyä-mə 

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite being closely related to the llama, the smaller alpacas are a different species in the camel family. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

In Manatee County, the property appraiser said his office spent months arguing with a property’s owners who tried to say their pet llamas qualified. —Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

In the woods, Akilah is still talking with the llama. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Natalie is also not super psyched, because a llama once spit on her. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for llama

• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• drama
• gama
• lama
• mama
• mamma
• momma
• rama
• sama

Kids Definition

llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈläm-ə 

: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump