boa constrictor

American  

noun

• boa constrictors
  plural

1. a snake, Constrictor (Boa ) constrictor, of tropical America, noted for its large size and its ability to suffocate a prey by coiling around it.

2. any large snake of the boa family, as the python or anaconda.

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boa constrictor British  

noun

1. a very large snake, Constrictor constrictor , of tropical America and the Caribbean, that kills its prey by constriction: family Boidae (boas)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• boa constrictors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of boa constrictor

First recorded in 1800–10

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

boa constrictor

Powell compared China’s naval strategy around Taiwan to that of a boa constrictor, moving slowly to overpower its rival, rather than striking dramatically as a viper might.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

"Each test is specific to a different snake species and was designed to detect DNA from the Burmese python, northern African rock python, rainbow boa and boa constrictor, ensuring no cross-detection among species."

From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2024

Visitors slid down the pole in “The Fire Cat,” slithered into the gullet of the boa constrictor in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and lounged in a faux bubble bath in “Harry the Dirty Dog.”

From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

“Dominant teams,” Cronin said, “they can really snuff you out like a boa constrictor and then you just go get a layup, which we were able to do tonight.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 14, 2024

The boa constrictor jabbed its tail at the sign again and Harry read on: This specimen was bred in the zoo.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

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