boa

[ boh-uh ]

/ ˈboʊ ə /

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noun, plural bo·as.

any of several nonvenomous, chiefly tropical constrictors of the family Boidae, having vestigial hind limbs at the base of the tail.

a scarf or stole of feathers, fur, or fabric.

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Origin of boa

1350–1400; Middle English <Latin: water adder

Words nearby boa

BND, BNFL, BNP, B.N.S., b.o., boa, boab, Boabdil, BOAC, boa constrictor, Boadicea

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use boa in a sentence

At one point we’re treated to some grainy footage he’s obsessed with, which appears to show a boa constrictor getting ready to devour a tiger.
Nope Is a Resplendent Spectacle Packed With Way Too Many Ideas|Stephanie Zacharek|July 20, 2022|Time
The boa constrictor’s choke hold is an iconic animal attack.
Here’s how boa constrictors squeeze their dinner without suffocating themselves|Maria Temming|March 24, 2022|Science News
Taxidermied birds, feather boas and birds as earrings became largely unfashionable and were rarely seen again in women’s fashion.
Beyond AOC’s ‘Tax The Rich’ Dress: 5 Acts Of Fashion Provocation That Changed History|LGBTQ-Editor|September 17, 2021|No Straight News
What’s more, the Hispaniolan vineboa may be among the smallest boas in the world, Reynolds, Landestoy and colleague Robert Henderson of the Milwaukee Public Museum report August 17 in Breviora.
A newfound boa sports big eyes and a square nose|Erin Garcia de Jesús|September 10, 2021|Science News

The boa constrictor was “sheltered in a cage” and was removed — alive — by animal-control officers, Piringer said.
Large snake, two dogs rescued from house fire in Silver Spring|Dana Hedgpeth|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Aged around 85, in her long life Boa Sr witnessed the entire destruction of her people.
In Andaman Islands, Indian Court Allows Return of a ‘Human Safari’|Jonathan Mazower|March 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Ventura did have more qualifications for elected office than simply wearing a feathered boa while grappling in the wrestling ring.
15 Fun Facts About the Politics of Minnesota, Colorado, and Missouri|Ben Jacobs|February 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Most of them had picked their own clothes without a stylist, so there was a lot of boa and fringe and sparkles.
Joan Rivers Won't Shut Up (Thank God)|Jacob Bernstein|January 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Dorian had a unique talent for striking glamorous and artistic attitudes while clutching a live boa constrictor.
Why Drag Queens Should Handle Disaster Relief|Simon Doonan|June 4, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Mack, according to reports, used his winnings to fill his home with Rottweilers, tarantulas, and a boa constrictor.
Lotto Death Curse|Anneli Rufus|February 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Now indeed they would have a grand feast, for they could add the flesh of the deer and boa to what they had already obtained.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
The rest of the party came up at this moment and helped cut away the skin of the boa.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin|Mary Hazelton Wade
Around her throat was a white feather boa, while her features were half concealed by the veil she wore.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
He was as successful as he was brave, and he had the great good luck to meet a tiger, a young hippopotamus, and a boa constrictor.
The Animal Story Book|Various
I said, with my imagination full of boa-constrictors big enough to entwine and crush us up.
Mass' George|George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for boa

boa

/ (ˈbəʊə) /

noun

any large nonvenomous snake of the family Boidae, most of which occur in Central and South America and the Caribbean. They have vestigial hind limbs and kill their prey by constriction

a woman's long thin scarf, usually of feathers or fur

Word Origin for boa

C19: from New Latin, from Latin: a large Italian snake, water snake

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012