capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌka-pi-ˈber-ə 

-ˈba-rə,

-ˈbär-ə 

: a tailless semiaquatic South and Central American rodent (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length

Illustration of capybara

Examples of capybara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At Houston zoo, animals from traditionally warm habitats, including an African elephant and capybaras, were seen frolicking in the snow in heartwarming footage. —Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

When Wild Oasis opens, guests will also be able to see giant anteaters, capybaras, squirrel monkeys, and tropical birds that are new to the park in a multi-level, multi-species habitat called Habitat Hideaway. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

The past years have seen the rise of capybara TikTok and Instagram. —Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Gamboa is a vibrant green jungle town less than an hour’s drive from Panama City into the middle of the canal’s route teeming with capybaras, sloths, monkeys and crocodiles and sitting directly on the lake. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌkap-i-ˈbar-ə  -ˈbär- 

: a tailless South American rodent often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length that is often found in or near water