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: 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
There was something called mindfulness behind the mamba mentality.
—Taylor Mims, Billboard, 15 May 2024
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
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
Dictionary Entries Near mamba
Cite this Entry
“Mamba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mamba. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on mamba
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mamba
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mamba
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