great ape

noun

plural great apes
: any of several large primates including the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo that are classified in the same family (Hominidae) as humans

Examples of great ape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The reserve was meant to provide protection to the region’s several endangered species, including the Cross River gorilla, one of the world’s rarest great apes. Saint Ekpali, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024 By comparison, a newborn human brain is roughly the size of an adult great ape’s brain. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 The only behavior in the great ape repertoire that fulfills the same form, function, and context as kissing is the last step of grooming. Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024 Drawing on his knowledge of great ape behavior, Lameira suggests kissing got its start as a fur grooming ritual still observed in modern-day chimpanzees and other great apes. Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for great ape 

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great ape was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near great ape

Cite this Entry

“Great ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20ape. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

great ape

noun
: any of a family of apes that includes the gorilla, orangutan, and chimpanzee

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