baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

 chiefly British  bə-

: any of a genus (Papio) of large gregarious primates of Africa and southwestern Asia having a long square naked muzzle

also : any of several closely related primates

Illustration of baboon

Examples of baboon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists have already transplanted pig organs into monkeys, baboons, and dead humans who'd donated their body for research, but transferring animal organs into living human recipients – or xenotransplantation – is still experimental, and controversial. —Abby Wilson, theweek, 24 Dec. 2024

And like his Australian predecessor, running around in a tunic and attacking everything from ginormous human opponents to a killer menagerie (baboons, rhinos, and sharks, oh my!) suits him. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024

The sun rises while the moon still hangs in the sky and a tree peppered with olive baboons comes into focus. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Often swathed in mist and cloud, these mountains are home to strawberry farms, terraced fields that hug its steep contours, and troops of baboons crashing and hooting their way through the juniper forests. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English babewin, from Middle French babouin, from baboue grimace

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing baboon

• baboon spider
• chacma baboon
• gelada baboon
• hamadryas baboon
• sacred baboon

Kids Definition

baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails