savannah

savannah — noun

1. a broad, mostly flat landscape where grass is the main form of plant life and tr

1.nounB1
Definition

a broad, mostly flat landscape where grass is the main form of plant life and trees are few, common in warm regions such as Africa

Example

The lions of the savannah hunt across the open grassland at dawn.

collocation: lions of the savannah

Minh watched a documentary about zebras migrating across the African savannah.

collocation: African savannah

Common collocations
  • vast savannah
  • African savannah
  • savannah grassland
  • savannah landscape
  • savannah ecosystem
Synonyms
  • savanna

    an alternative spelling of 'savannah', more common in American English and scientific texts

  • grassland

    a broader term that includes savannahs, prairies, and steppes

  • plain

    a general term for flat land; plains may lack the distinctive grass-and-scrub vegetation of a savannah

Antonyms
  • desert

    a dry region with far less rainfall and vegetation than a savannah

  • forest

    a densely wooded area, the opposite of the open-tree savannah landscape

Grammar Patterns

the + savannah

a + savannah

savannah + noun (attribute)

Usage Note

Often used with 'the' when referring to the biome in general (e.g., 'the African savannah'). The alternative spelling 'savanna' is common in scientific writing.

Common Mistakes

The savannah is a kind of desert.
The savannah is a grassland biome with seasonal rains, not a desert.
savannahs receive more rainfall than deserts and support far more plant and animal life.

2. a coastal city in the southeastern United States that serves as an Atlantic seap

2.nounB1
Definition

a coastal city in the southeastern United States that serves as an Atlantic seaport and is famous for its preserved historic architecture

Example

Joaquín visited Savannah, Georgia, and walked through its historic district.

Savannah, Georgia (place-name pattern)

The old oak trees in Savannah's squares are covered with Spanish moss.

Common collocations
  • downtown Savannah
  • historic Savannah
  • Savannah historic district

Grammar Patterns

Savannah + noun (attribute)

Usage Note

This sense treats 'Savannah' as a common noun referring to the city in everyday language. In a dictionary, the same place also appears under the 'geographical name' POS as a formal proper-noun entry — the referent is identical, only the grammatical framing differs.

3. a domestic cat breed developed from a serval and a household cat, known for its

3.nounB2
Definition

a domestic cat breed developed from a serval and a household cat, known for its tall frame, spotted fur, and energetic temperament

Example

Romi adopted a Savannah cat that has long legs and a spotted coat.

collocation: Savannah cat

Layla's Savannah cat is very energetic and enjoys playing in water.

Common collocations
  • Savannah cat breed
  • Savannah cat

Grammar Patterns

Savannah cat

a + Savannah cat

Usage Note

The breed name is always capitalised: 'Savannah cat'. The word 'savannah' alone (lowercase) does not refer to this breed — it must be followed by 'cat' or used in a clear context about pets.

savannah — geographical name

Word family

  • savannahs
    nounB1
  • savanna
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Savanna' (also spelled 'savannah') refers specifically to tropical or subtropical grassland with scattered trees and distinct wet and dry seasons, typical of East Africa and parts of South America. 'Prairie' describes the temperate grasslands of North America — the Great Plains — which have richer soil and colder winters than a savannah. 'Steppe' is a drier, cooler grassland found in Central Asia and Eastern Europe, with shorter grass and fewer trees. 'Plain' is the broadest term: any flat or gently rolling land, which may be grassy, barren, or cultivated. In practice, a visitor to Kenya would say 'savannah,' someone driving through Kansas would say 'prairie,' and a traveller in Mongolia would say 'steppe.'

savannaprairie ↗steppeplain ↗

Etymology

TaínoSpanishEnglish

The word 'savannah' entered English through Spanish 'sabana', which was borrowed from Taíno, the language of the indigenous people of the Caribbean. In Taíno, 'zabana' meant 'open grassland' or 'flat ground without trees.' The term was first recorded in English in the 16th century as Spanish explorers described the grassy plains they encountered in the Americas.