giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes
1
or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
2
capitalized : camelopardalis
giraffish adjective

Illustration of giraffe

Illustration of giraffe
  • giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The first image in the post shows the duo squatting down while playing a shooting game to win a plush prize, while the next features the actress hugging a jumbo giraffe with a smile on her face. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024 What To Do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Take a tour of Africa and Asia and get up close with giraffes, rhinos and other animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Lauryn Jiles, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024 The blocks are teeming with rhinos, giraffes, ostriches, pigs, ponies, raccoons, and sundry other critters. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024 An Oklahoma chiropractor who works with both humans and animals has gone viral thanks to a video of him making some adjustments for a giraffe in need. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for giraffe 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giraffe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of giraffe was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near giraffe

Cite this Entry

“Giraffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giraffe. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun
gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes or giraffe
: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals

More from Merriam-Webster on giraffe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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