Definition

Noun: 1. A flat, open grassland in tropical or subtropical regions: A savanna is a type of ecosystem characterized by vast, rolling plains of grasses with scattered trees and shrubs. It is found in warm climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, where rainfall is insufficient to support a dense forest.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The African savanna is home to iconic animals like lions, elephants, and giraffes.
  • The landscape transitioned from dense jungle to open savanna as we traveled north.
  • Fires are a natural and important part of the savanna ecosystem.

Advanced Usage

• "savanna woodland": A type of savanna where trees are more abundant, forming a more open woodland.
  • The expedition moved through the savanna woodland, where the trees provided some shade from the sun.

Variants and Related Words

• Savannah (noun): An alternative spelling of "savanna". Both forms are correct and interchangeable.
  • The city of Savannah, Georgia, is named after this type of landscape.
• Savanna climate (noun phrase): The tropical wet and dry climate typical of savanna regions.

Synonyms

• Grassland: A broad term for an area dominated by grasses.
• Plain: A large area of flat land with few trees.
• Prairie: A large open area of grassland, typically in North America (temperate, not tropical/subtropical).
• Steppe: A large area of flat unforested grassland, typically in southeastern Europe or Siberia.

Related Phrases

• To traverse the savanna: To travel across the savanna.
  • The herd must traverse the savanna to reach the watering hole.

Noun

1. a flat grassland in tropical or subtropical regions