Illustration of orangutan
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
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Far from uncomfortable, these orangutans even know how to build luxury items such as pillows, blankets, mattresses (linings), and roofs to make their nests weather-proof.
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Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Lions, bears, wolves, orangutans, kangaroos and many other species faced Russian shells exploding around them and animals possibly in the hundreds were reportedly killed, as well as three zoo workers who stayed behind to feed their charges.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025
Java whispers through misty ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, while Sumatra’s dense jungles echo with wild calls of orangutans swinging through fig trees and the rustle of monsoon rain.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Male Sumatran orangutans have a median life expectancy of about 25 years, according to zoo staff.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
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Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Lions, bears, wolves, orangutans, kangaroos and many other species faced Russian shells exploding around them and animals possibly in the hundreds were reportedly killed, as well as three zoo workers who stayed behind to feed their charges.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025
Java whispers through misty ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, while Sumatra’s dense jungles echo with wild calls of orangutans swinging through fig trees and the rustle of monsoon rain.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Male Sumatran orangutans have a median life expectancy of about 25 years, according to zoo staff.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for orangutan
Cite this Entry
“Orangutan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orangutan. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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