mamba

noun

mam·​ba ˈmäm-bə How to pronounce mamba (audio) ˈmam- How to pronounce mamba (audio)
: any of several chiefly arboreal venomous green or black elapid snakes (genus Dendroaspis) of sub-Saharan Africa

Examples of mamba in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers have created a powerful synthetic antibody that counteracts the deadly venom produced by snakes in the Elapidae family—which includes the black mamba, king cobra and kraits. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 The 20-year-old daughter of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant recently spoke about her mission of continuing to promote the mamba mentality. Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023 The variety packs of four 3-ounce mini jars offer something for everyone, from chai spice peanut and almond to hot mamba. Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2023 The jerseys, which appear to be inspired by the Black Mamba jerseys the Lakers wore during their 2020 championship run, are black with mamba scale markings and gold print and trim. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2023 Elapids are the family of about 300 venomous snakes that include mambas, cobras, and the annulated sea snake. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 July 2023 Two drops of the mamba's venom will kill most humans, the site said. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2023 Blood is already dripping from fang marks on his right arm, left there moments earlier by a ten-foot-long black mamba. Kyle Dickman, Outside Online, 16 May 2019 Like the black mamba, the color of the inside of the cottonmouth moccasin’s mouth inspires its name, not its scales. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 19 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mamba.' 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

Zulu imamba

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mamba was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near mamba

Cite this Entry

“Mamba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mamba. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mamba

noun
mam·​ba ˈmäm-bə How to pronounce mamba (audio) ˈmam- How to pronounce mamba (audio)
: any of several African poisonous snakes related to the cobras but lacking a hood

Medical Definition

mamba

noun
mam·​ba ˈmäm-bə How to pronounce mamba (audio) ˈmam- How to pronounce mamba (audio)
: any of several venomous elapid snakes (genus Dendroaspis) of sub-Saharan Africa that are related to the cobras but lack a dilatable hood
especially : a southern African snake (D. angusticeps) that has a light or olive-green phase and a black phase, that attains in the latter phase a length of 12 feet (3.66 meters), and that is noted for the quickness with which it inflicts its often fatal bite

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