Meaning
The capital town of the parish of Westmoreland, on Jamaica's south-west coast — usually shortened to 'Sav' or 'Sav-la-Mar'. A historic seaport, its Spanish-derived name meaning 'plain by the sea', Savanna-la-Mar is the commercial heart of Westmoreland and a gateway to the Negril area, its long main street and market drawing the trade of the whole parish. Battered by hurricanes over the centuries yet always rebuilt, it holds its place in the map of Jamaican towns as a bustling south-coast centre.
Examples
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Wi drive go a Sav fi shop.
We drove to Savanna-la-Mar to shop.
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Sav-la-Mar a di capital a Westmoreland.
Savanna-la-Mar is the capital of Westmoreland.
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Di market inna Sav busy pon a Saturday.
The market in Sav is busy on a Saturday.
Origin
Spanish for 'plain by the sea' (sabana de la mar); a coastal parish-capital town founded in the colonial era.
How it’s used
Westmoreland's capital; commonly 'Sav'. One of many place-names that anchor regional identity.