baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

 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

Examples of baboon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sun rises while the moon still hangs in the sky and a tree peppered with olive baboons comes into focus. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Often swathed in mist and cloud, these mountains are home to strawberry farms, terraced fields that hug its steep contours, and troops of baboons crashing and hooting their way through the juniper forests. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024

Just a bunch of drunk baboons screaming and fighting. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, The Athletic, 29 July 2024

The hairless baboons that appear in a smaller arena earlier in Gladiator II are a fictional invention, continues Bartsch. —Jack Smart, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing baboon

• baboon spider
• chacma baboon
• gelada baboon
• hamadryas baboon
• sacred baboon

Kids Definition

baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails