hippo

noun

hip·​po ˈhi-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce hippo (audio)
plural hippos

Examples of hippo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The now one-month-old hippo first made headlines after her birth last month, following the social media fervor surrounding Thailand's pygmy hippo Moo Deng this past summer. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 Poppy was the name chosen for a newborn pygmy hippo at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia after the zoo held an online contest to determine her name, with zoo officials saying Poppy won with 52.8% of the total votes. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025 Pygmy hippos are native to forested areas of West Africa and are much smaller than a regular, full-size hippo. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Learning more about pygmy hippo behavior and conservation from a zoo team member. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hippo 

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hippo was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near hippo

Cite this Entry

“Hippo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hippo. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

hippo

noun
hip·​po ˈhip-ō How to pronounce hippo (audio)
plural hippos

Geographical Definition

Hippo

geographical name

Hip·​po ˈhi-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce Hippo (audio)
variants or Hippo Regius
ˈrē-jəs How to pronounce Hippo (audio)
-jē-əs
ancient city in northern Africa south of modern Annaba, Algeria; chief town of Numidia

More from Merriam-Webster on hippo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!