capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌka-pi-ˈber-ə How to pronounce capybara (audio)
-ˈba-rə,
-ˈbär-ə How to pronounce capybara (audio)
: a tailless semiaquatic South and Central American rodent (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length

Illustration of capybara

Illustration of capybara

Examples of capybara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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So the capybara is actually voiced by a baby camel. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Oct. 2024 Where to spot jaguars, giant tortoises, and capybaras. Lily Bunker, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024 The animals at Jungle Island — including lemurs, sloths and capybaras — would be transferred to new caretakers. Martin Vassolo, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024 Swindall spent a few minutes with Moo Deng before deciding to go check out the capybaras. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for capybara 

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese capibara, capivara, alteration of capiiuara, from Tupi kapiʔiwara, from kapíʔi grass, brush + -wara eater

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capybara was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near capybara

Cite this Entry

“Capybara.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capybara. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

capybara

noun
cap·​y·​bara ˌkap-i-ˈbar-ə How to pronounce capybara (audio) -ˈbär- How to pronounce capybara (audio)
: a tailless South American rodent often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length that is often found in or near water

More from Merriam-Webster on capybara

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