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

Some of these wild animals become pets, such as reptiles, spiders, clownfish, chimpanzees and even tigers. —Alice Catherine Hughes, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025

Uganda also has a much larger population of chimpanzees than Rwanda, with multiple trekking sites including Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest. —Alexandra Owens, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025

Outback to Coast/Getty Images/iStockphoto While watching a group of captive chimpanzees for her graduate research, Ena Onishi noticed something odd about the primates. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025

Will a gritty, globe-trotting police officer and an anthropomorphic chimpanzee pop star be able to kickstart the 2025 box office? —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025

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