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

Sure, lots of animals have orange, ginger, or yellow hues, like tigers, orangutans, and golden retrievers. —ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025

In East Kalimantan, officials have been pursuing policy reforms and working with plantation and forestry companies to reduce forests destruction to protect habitat for orangutans. —Mary Nichols, The Conversation, 19 May 2025

Authorities said the orangutans are believed to have been sold for around 300,000 Thai baht ($9,050). —Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 16 May 2025

The plant the orangutan used to medicate is not usually eaten by the species, but it is known to humans as a pain reliever. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 May 2025

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