savanna
suh-VAN-uh
/səˈvæn.ə/
A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few scattered trees.
Refers specifically to rolling grass plains with scattered trees that withstand long dry seasons.
The story behind the word. Borrowed into Spanish as 'sabana' from the indigenous Taíno language of the Caribbean, describing wide open plains before entering English in the 16th century.
Word relationships
- grassland: Grassland covers any grass-dominated region, whereas savanna specifically implies warm climates with widely spaced trees.
- rainforest: Rainforests feature dense tree covers and high rain, unlike savannas which have open grass and sparse trees.
Commonly confused with
- prairie: Prairies are temperate grasslands without scattered trees, whereas savannas are tropical with solitary trees.
Word family
- savannas (noun): Plural plain ecosystems.
Collocations
- tropical savanna
- savanna grassland
- African savanna
- savanna ecosystem
Example sentences
- "Herds of wildebeest migrated across the golden expanse of the Serengeti savanna in search of rain." African Wildlife
Memory hook
Picture Seven Antelopes Navigating Open Grasslands. Savanna = sunlit grassy plain with occasional trees.
When not to use
Do not use for dense forests or frozen arctic plains.
Fun facts
- Savannas cover nearly half of the African continent's land surface.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.