chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee (ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 

-pən-ˈzē,

-ˈpan-zē 

 sometimes  (ˌ)shim-

: an anthropoid ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla compare bonobo

Illustration of chimpanzee

Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of two animals — a lion and chimpanzee —that recently died, the zoo said on social media. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025

In 2020, Haddix agreed to send four chimpanzees to a sanctuary in Florida, but was allowed to keep three others. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2025

This includes lions and tigers and bears (oh my), baby elephants, giraffes, chimpanzees, pythons, alligators, kangaroos, dolphins and 3,000-pound walruses. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 10 July 2025

The original 28 Days Later (2002) takes place in a world where animal rights activists have freed a group of infected chimpanzees to horrifying results. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Rhymes for chimpanzee

• mansi
• pansy
• tansy

Kids Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an African ape that is related to the gorilla but is smaller and spends more of its time in trees

Medical Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

-pən-; chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an anthropoid ape of the genus Pan (P. troglodytes) found in equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla see bonobo