Category: GeographyPart of speech: nounDifficulty: Intermediate

savanna

/səˈvæn.ə/Roman

English meaning: Savanna

English Definition

(English)

Savannas occupy the ecological zone between tropical rainforest and desert, shaped by fire, drought, and grazing. Africa's savannas support the world's greatest megafaunal diversity — lions, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest — and are major sites of wildlife conservation and eco-tourism. India's dry deciduous forests and grasslands share ecological characteristics with savannas.

English Definition

A tropical or subtropical grassland ecosystem with scattered trees, characterised by a pronounced wet-dry seasonal cycle. Savannas cover about 20% of Earth's land surface, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa, South America (cerrado), and Australia.

Example

Africa's Serengeti savanna hosts the world's greatest wildlife migration — 1.5 million wildebeest crossing the ecosystem annually in search of fresh grass and water.

In English: The Serengeti savanna hosts the largest terrestrial wildlife migration on Earth, a dramatic expression of ecosystem functioning.

Synonyms

  • grassland
  • tropical grassland
  • veldt

Antonyms / Opposites

  • rainforest
  • tundra
  • desert

Literary Heritage

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise.

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise.

William Shakespeare · Playwright / Poet · 16th–17th century

Richard II

Richard II, Act II, Scene 1, John of Gaunt's speech, c. 1595

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Language
English
English
Script
Latin
Family
Indo-European
Speakers
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