gibbon

noun

gib·​bon ˈgi-bən How to pronounce gibbon (audio)
: any of a family (Hylobatidae) of agile brachiating tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are the smallest and most arboreal anthropoid apes

Illustration of gibbon

Illustration of gibbon

Examples of gibbon 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.
Orangutans, gibbons and monkeys were said to cruise through the trees on the property, and the roof to our small room was also home to short-nosed fruit bats. Mihir Zaveri, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 White-handed gibbon named Eros The baby boy was born at the zoo on March 13 and has two older siblings there already. Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024 Recent research has indicated that tool use may have very deep roots among hominoids—the group of primates that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons, bonobos and humans. Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 This includes providing care for lions, tigers, gibbons, macaws, chimpanzees, parrots, goats, sheep, rabbits and reptiles, among other creatures. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for gibbon 

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gibbon was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near gibbon

Cite this Entry

“Gibbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gibbon. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

gibbon

noun
gib·​bon ˈgib-ən How to pronounce gibbon (audio)
: any of several tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are smaller and spend more time in trees than the gorilla, chimpanzee, and orangutan

Biographical Definition

Gibbon

biographical name

Gib·​bon ˈgi-bən How to pronounce Gibbon (audio)
Edward 1737–1794 English historian
Gibbonesque adjective
or Gibbonian

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