llama

noun

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump
especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hence the oddball name, llamas being a thing in Patagonia. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024 Guinness also has records for the oldest cats, llamas, and mice, but Maskell said that those categories are not currently paused. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 15 Jan. 2024 Pet Partners registers nine different species as therapy animals: dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, mini pigs, and llamas and alpacas. Patrick Orsagos, Fortune Well, 23 Dec. 2023 Ann Clark sells classic cutters like the gingerbread man and the heart, but its top sellers tend to be more offbeat shapes: a Mason jar (the big hit in 2015), a llama (huge in 2019). Priya Krishna, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2023 Use our free pattern to cut out a llama shape from chipboard, then add a felt blanket, thread tassels, and some mini jingle bells. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 The llamas have been brought in via the non-profit Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas based in Ridgefield, Washington to calm the masses amid the chaos of holiday travel. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 These nomadic tribes lived from 2,000 B.C. to A.D. 500 — well before the Incan Empire, which hit its heyday in the 15th century — herding llamas along paths that later became part of the Qhapaq Ñan road system. Mark Johanson, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2023 The goal of the travesía was in part to shine a light on the network of paths that, along with the culture of the Andean Aymara llama herders who still use them, is fading from existence. Mark Johanson, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'llama.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of llama was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near llama

Cite this Entry

“Llama.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/llama. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

llama

noun
lla·​ma ˈläm-ə How to pronounce llama (audio)
: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

More from Merriam-Webster on llama

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