tapir

noun

ta·​pir ˈtā-pər 

 also  ˈtā-ˌpir,

 or  tə-ˈpir

plural tapirs also tapir

: any of a genus (Tapirus) of herbivorous chiefly nocturnal perissodactyl mammals of tropical America and southeastern Asia from Myanmar to Sumatra that have a heavy sparsely hairy body and the snout and upper lip prolonged into a short flexible proboscis

Illustration of tapir

Examples of tapir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists had an idea of what prehistoric Appalachia looked like: alligators coexisting with tapirs, turtles and carnivores that resemble modern-day red pandas. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2025

Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news What do horses, armadillos, sloths, and tapirs all have in common? —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025

According to a statement from the zoo, there was no rush to introduce Frida to the zoo's other Baird's tapir, 6-year-old Iibu, because Baird's tapirs typically prefer solitude. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024

What's next: Visitors can expect to see the young tapir this spring. —Christine Clarridge, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese tapir, tapira, from Tupi tapiʔíra

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tapir

noun

ta·​pir ˈtā-pər 

plural tapir or tapirs

: any of several plant-eating hoofed mammals of tropical America and southeastern Asia that are related to the horse and rhinoceros and have a long flexible snout, a very short tail, and short thick legs