Illustration of baboon
: any of a genus (Papio) of large gregarious primates of Africa and southwestern Asia having a long square naked muzzle
also
: any of several closely related primates
Examples of baboon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once the leopard disappeared into the bush, the baboons returned and the four of us laughingly tried to imagine the meaning of their chatter, which sounded boastful now that the danger had passed.
—
Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2023
Exactly five years later, the first nonhuman primate was conceived in a petri dish — a baboon named E.T. for Embryo Transfer.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2023
The baboon was not native to Egypt, but still played an outsized role in Egyptian religion.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2022
For example, female baboons who have the hardest childhoods have life spans that are on average only half as long as their peers that have the easiest.
—Stacy Rosenbaum, Fortune Well, 15 May 2023
Animals were everywhere during World War I. Sixteen million non-human animals were sent into the service: trench dogs that hunted rats; carrier pigeons; and even a baboon named Jackie, who served as a private in the Third South African Infantry Regiment.
—Nick Yetto, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2023
The other consortium, led by Rogers, also found signs of rampant hybridization in the DNA of 225 wild baboons from multiple species, which conservation biologist Julius Keyyu at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute helped obtain and analyze.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 1 June 2023
The elephants were slow to make an appearance that morning, but the kudus, impalas, baboons, warthogs, Cape buffalos, and hippos were not at all put off by the rain, nor were the countless species of birds.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2023
In this baboon species, males miss out on friendship and its possible benefits.
—Joseph Calamia, Discover Magazine, 2 July 2010
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Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2023
Exactly five years later, the first nonhuman primate was conceived in a petri dish — a baboon named E.T. for Embryo Transfer.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 July 2023
The baboon was not native to Egypt, but still played an outsized role in Egyptian religion.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2022
For example, female baboons who have the hardest childhoods have life spans that are on average only half as long as their peers that have the easiest.
—Stacy Rosenbaum, Fortune Well, 15 May 2023
Animals were everywhere during World War I. Sixteen million non-human animals were sent into the service: trench dogs that hunted rats; carrier pigeons; and even a baboon named Jackie, who served as a private in the Third South African Infantry Regiment.
—Nick Yetto, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2023
The other consortium, led by Rogers, also found signs of rampant hybridization in the DNA of 225 wild baboons from multiple species, which conservation biologist Julius Keyyu at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute helped obtain and analyze.
—Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 1 June 2023
The elephants were slow to make an appearance that morning, but the kudus, impalas, baboons, warthogs, Cape buffalos, and hippos were not at all put off by the rain, nor were the countless species of birds.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2023
In this baboon species, males miss out on friendship and its possible benefits.
—Joseph Calamia, Discover Magazine, 2 July 2010
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baboon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English babewin, from Middle French babouin, from baboue grimace
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of baboon was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing baboon
Dictionary Entries Near baboon
Cite this Entry
“Baboon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baboon. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
baboon
noun
ba·boon
ba-ˈbün 
: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails
More from Merriam-Webster on baboon
Nglish: Translation of baboon for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about baboon
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