primatology

noun

pri·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌprī-mə-ˈtä-lə-jē 

: the study of primates especially other than recent humans (Homo sapiens)

primatological

ˌprī-mə-tə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

primatologist

ˌprī-mə-ˈtä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of primatology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the quiet shift that defines modern primatology. — Mireya Mayor, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026

Much as a young Jane Goodall revolutionized primatology by giving chimpanzees names and describing their personalities, Askell is willing to anthropomorphize Claude. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2026

In the 1960s Jane Goodall’s revolutionary primatology emerged from her empathetic, relational approach to chimpanzees at Gombe. — Simon Duan, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026

At the time, the fields of primatology, ethology, anthropology, and all of science were incredibly male-dominated. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

primate + -o- + -logy

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for primatology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

Kids Definition

primatology

noun

pri·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy ˌprī-mə-ˈtäl-ə-jē 

: the study of primates and especially primates other than human beings

primatologist

-jist 

noun

Medical Definition

primatology

noun

pri·​ma·​tol·​o·​gy -ə-jē 

plural primatologies

: the study of members of the order Primates especially other than recent humans (Homo sapiens)

primatological

-mət-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective