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

Illustration of chimpanzee

Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What was the name of the first chimpanzee in space? —Alex Vance, Parents, 14 Jan. 2025

While Williams, now 50, narrates the story, he is portrayed by actor Jonno Davies as a chimpanzee. —Karen Bliss, SPIN, 10 Jan. 2025

Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. —Alice Catherine Hughes, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025

Uganda also has a much larger population of chimpanzees than Rwanda, with multiple trekking sites including Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest. —Alexandra Owens, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Rhymes for chimpanzee

• mansi
• pansy
• tansy

Kids Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  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- 

-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