chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee (ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 

-pən-ˈzē,

-ˈpan-zē 

 sometimes  (ˌ)shim-

: an anthropoid ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla compare bonobo

Illustration of chimpanzee

Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The use of tools is shared by humans and our closest relatives, chimpanzees, for example. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

Unlike the chimpanzees and gorillas passively consuming different medicinal plants, this is the first time any animal has been seen treating a wound directly with healing plants. —Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

Humans have 10 times as many sweat glands as chimpanzees do. —The Atlantic Science Desk, The Atlantic, 28 Dec. 2024

Darwin was convinced that animals, at least chimpanzees and monkeys, laughed. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Kids Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an African ape that is related to the gorilla but is smaller and spends more of its time in trees

Medical Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

-pən-; chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an anthropoid ape of the genus Pan (P. troglodytes) found in equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla see bonobo