orangutan

noun

orang·​u·​tan ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ 

-ˈraŋ-gə-,

-ˌtan 

: any of several largely herbivorous arboreal anthropoid apes (Pongo pygmaeus, P. abelii, and P. tapanuliensis) of Borneo and Sumatra that are about ²/₃ as large as the gorilla and have brown skin, long sparse reddish-brown hair, and very long arms

Illustration of orangutan

Examples of orangutan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Image The island is home to some of the most iconic, and unusual, mammals on earth, species like orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys with their bulbous noses. —Mihir Zaveri, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

The same is true in modern primates, where 21% to 36% of chimpanzees, 20% of gorillas, and 61% of orangutans have suffered non-fatal falls with a resultant long bone fracture, usually of the forearm. —Carly Miller, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

The zoo was the first in the United States to successfully breed orangutans, beginning in 1928. —Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 17 July 2024

Bornean orangutans rubbed themselves with juices from a medicinal plant, possibly to reduce body pains or chase away parasites. —Christina Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Bazaar Malay (Malay-based pidgin), from Malay orang man + hutan forest

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orangutan

noun

orang·​utan

ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ,

-ˌtan

: a large anthropoid ape of Borneo and Sumatra that is about ⅔ as large as a gorilla, eats mostly plants, lives in trees, and has very long arms, long thin reddish brown hair, and a nearly hairless face