Illustration of chimpanzee
chimpanzee
noun
chim·pan·zee
(ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 
-pən-ˈzē,
-ˈpan-zē
sometimes (ˌ)shim-
: an anthropoid ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla compare bonobo
Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Today Gabon’s jungles are a stronghold for forest elephants, along with mandrills, chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered giant pangolins.
—
Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
However, the part of Williams is played by an anthropomorphic chimpanzee (actor Jonno Davies in a motion capture ape suit, then rendered using computer generation).
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Wild chimpanzees—which are also great apes and close human relatives—appear to give warnings to groupmates that haven’t seen a nearby threat, according to previous research.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Contagious urination has yet to be studied in the wild, but the possible discovery of another social behavior in chimpanzees, who are known to exhibit contagious grooming and synchronized walking, is not surprising, experts say.
—Collin Blinder, science.org, 22 Jan. 2025
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Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
However, the part of Williams is played by an anthropomorphic chimpanzee (actor Jonno Davies in a motion capture ape suit, then rendered using computer generation).
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Wild chimpanzees—which are also great apes and close human relatives—appear to give warnings to groupmates that haven’t seen a nearby threat, according to previous research.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
Contagious urination has yet to be studied in the wild, but the possible discovery of another social behavior in chimpanzees, who are known to exhibit contagious grooming and synchronized walking, is not surprising, experts say.
—Collin Blinder, science.org, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chimpanzee
Cite this Entry
“Chimpanzee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chimpanzee. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chimpanzee
noun
chim·pan·zee
ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē
ˌshim-
ˌshim-
chim-ˈpan-zē,
shim-
: an African ape that is related to the gorilla but is smaller and spends more of its time in trees
Medical Definition
chimpanzee
noun
chim·pan·zee
ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē
ˌshim-
ˌshim-
-pən-; chim-ˈpan-zē,
shim-
: an anthropoid ape of the genus Pan (P. troglodytes) found in equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla see bonobo
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