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

In contrast to humans, who evolved in hunter-gatherer groups, orangutans come from a more solitary lineage. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025

While the app’s messaging focuses on orangutans, Love says, the sustainability also applies to helping out corpse flowers. —Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 19 June 2025

The Last Place On Earth Countries: USA/Indonesia; Running Time: 110 Min. Director: David Booth Gardner A thrilling, eight-year journey into the heart of Sumatra’s Leuser Ecosystem—a 2.6-million-hectare rainforest where tigers, elephants, rhinos, and orangutans still roam free. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025

The Indianapolis Zoo welcomed a male baby orangutan to its Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 25 Feb. 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