tapir

noun

ta·​pir

ˈtā-pər,

 also  ˈtā-ˌpir,

or

tə-ˈpir 

plural tapirs also tapir

: any of a genus (Tapirus) of herbivorous chiefly nocturnal perissodactyl mammals of tropical America and southeastern Asia from Myanmar to Sumatra that have a heavy sparsely hairy body and the snout and upper lip prolonged into a short flexible proboscis

Illustration of tapir

Examples of tapir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are four living species of tapirs, each with a distinct habitat and appearance: Brazilian Tapir, Malayan Tapir, Baird's Tapir, and Mountain Tapir. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2024

The Malayan tapir is an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

Baird’s tapirs, which were named in honor of the American naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird, are endangered. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 1 July 2024

Dogs are attacking mountain tapirs in the cloud forests of Colombia. —Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese tapir, tapira, from Tupi tapiʔíra

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tapir

noun

ta·​pir ˈtā-pər 

plural tapir or tapirs

: any of several plant-eating hoofed mammals of tropical America and southeastern Asia that are related to the horse and rhinoceros and have a long flexible snout, a very short tail, and short thick legs