great ape

noun

plural great apes
: any of several large primates including the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo that are classified in the same family (Hominidae) as humans

Examples of great ape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The term hominin refers to all species in the human family tree that emerged after the split from the ancestors of the great apes 6 million to 7 million years ago. Katie Hunt, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024 The reserve was meant to provide protection to the region’s several endangered species, including the Cross River gorilla, one of the world’s rarest great apes. Saint Ekpali, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024 By comparison, a newborn human brain is roughly the size of an adult great ape’s brain. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 The only behavior in the great ape repertoire that fulfills the same form, function, and context as kissing is the last step of grooming. Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for great ape 

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of great ape was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near great ape

Cite this Entry

“Great ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20ape. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

great ape

noun
: any of a family of apes that includes the gorilla, orangutan, and chimpanzee

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