Illustration of python
: any of various large constricting snakes
especially
: any of the large oviparous snakes (subfamily Pythoninae of the family Boidae) of Africa, Asia, Australia, and adjacent islands that include some of the largest existing snakes
Examples of python in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers tested 18 African ball pythons, a solitary snake species, and 36 eastern garter snakes, which are known to be more social.
—
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
However, a female python can produce between 50 and 100 eggs in one year, Aust said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Giant hornets, Burmese pythons and, perhaps less obviously, fig buttercups all pose threats to North American ecosystems.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024
Months later, the man was charged with smuggling goods — specifically the three pythons — into the U.S. and arraigned on Oct. 4, 2022, according to the attorney’s office, McClatchy News previously reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2024
Now between the Beast and the Edge of Hell, Edgar is responsible for the care and feeding of two boa constrictors, three pythons, two anacondas and one alligator named Clamp.
—Robert Trussell, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024
But Burmese pythons may be the most infamous invaders of all.
—Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
Wildlife experts discovered two balls of Burmese pythons mating on the same day, one of which was the aforementioned 7-foot-wide pile.
—Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
The group caught 11 pythons weighing a total of 500 pounds, according to its Facebook page.
—USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
However, a female python can produce between 50 and 100 eggs in one year, Aust said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024
Giant hornets, Burmese pythons and, perhaps less obviously, fig buttercups all pose threats to North American ecosystems.
—Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024
Months later, the man was charged with smuggling goods — specifically the three pythons — into the U.S. and arraigned on Oct. 4, 2022, according to the attorney’s office, McClatchy News previously reported.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2024
Now between the Beast and the Edge of Hell, Edgar is responsible for the care and feeding of two boa constrictors, three pythons, two anacondas and one alligator named Clamp.
—Robert Trussell, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024
But Burmese pythons may be the most infamous invaders of all.
—Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
Wildlife experts discovered two balls of Burmese pythons mating on the same day, one of which was the aforementioned 7-foot-wide pile.
—Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024
The group caught 11 pythons weighing a total of 500 pounds, according to its Facebook page.
—USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'python.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Python.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/python. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
python
noun
py·thon
ˈpī-ˌthän 
-thən
: any of various large nonpoisonous snakes especially of Africa, Asia, and Australia that squeeze and suffocate their prey and include some of the largest snakes living at the present time
Etymology
named for Python, a monstrous serpent in Greek Legend
Word Origin
Python in Greek legend, was the name of a monstrous serpent that lived in the caves of Mt. Parnassus near the town of Delphi. This serpent attacked the mother of the god Apollo. Zeus, fortunately, came to her aid and removed her to a place of safety. Later, Apollo sought revenge for the attack. With bow and arrow he hunted the dreaded Python. After struggling with and finally slaying the serpent, Apollo buried it in the temple at Delphi. To celebrate this victory a festival of games was held, including athletic and musical contests and a dramatic performance of Apollo's slaying of Python. These games continued to be held every four years until the 4th century a.d. They were called the Pythian games and ranked second to the Olympic games in popularity. Its was not until the 19th century that the word python was used for a large snake that crushes its prey.
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