macaque

noun

ma·​caque mə-ˈkak  -ˈkäk 

: any of a genus (Macaca) of chiefly Asian monkeys typically having a sturdy build and including some short-tailed or tailless forms

especially : rhesus monkey

Illustration of macaque

Examples of macaque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, a gang of free-roaming macaques reportedly terrorized townspeople in Yamaguchi, Japan, breaking into apartments, messing with crops, and injuring residents with scratches and bites. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025

The first of 43 macaques was captured on Nov. 9, two days after their escape. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025

The 43 rhesus macaque primates escaped after a caretaker failed to secure doors. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

The monkeys that escaped are rhesus macaque primates, which have brown fur with red faces and ears. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Portuguese macaco, from kaku mangabey, plural makaku, in one or more Bantu languages of Gabon and Congo

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing macaque

• crab-eating macaque
• long-tailed macaque
• stump-tailed macaque

Kids Definition

macaque

noun

ma·​caque mə-ˈkak  -ˈkäk 

: any of various monkeys mostly from Asia that includes some with either short or no tails

especially : rhesus monkey

Etymology

French, from Portuguese macaco, from makaku, plural of kaku, name for an African monkey in one or more Bantu languages of Gabon and Congo

Medical Definition

macaque

noun

ma·​caque mə-ˈkak  -ˈkäk 

: any of numerous short-tailed Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca and related genera chiefly of southern Asia

especially : rhesus monkey