baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün How to pronounce baboon (audio)
 chiefly British  bə-
: any of a genus (Papio) of large gregarious primates of Africa and southwestern Asia having a long square naked muzzle
also : any of several closely related primates

Illustration of baboon

Illustration of baboon

Examples of baboon 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.
Early attempts used kidneys, livers and hearts from baboons, chimpanzees and other creatures. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2025 Sharks and baboons with a taste for human flesh chomping through fighters. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 But all that energy expenditure isn’t entirely the result of baboons’ many brawls. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025 As well as chimpanzees, baboons, apes, and primates in general. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for baboon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English babewin, from Middle French babouin, from baboue grimace

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baboon was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Baboon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baboon. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

baboon

noun
ba·​boon ba-ˈbün How to pronounce baboon (audio)
: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails

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