baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

 chiefly British  bə-

: 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

Illustration of baboon

Examples of baboon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Later in the day, our group crossed the border into Botswana and arrived in Chobe, where our afternoon game drive resulted in sightings of herds of elephants (calves in tow), zebras, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, impala, baboons, and more. —Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2024

From the tops of the same cliffs, actual animals—pied crows and baboons—followed our progress. —Aminatta Forna, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2024

For its next act, in 1985, PETA released footage taken by the Animal Liberation Front, a radical group more willing to break the law, of severe abuse of baboons at the University of Pennsylvania. —Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024

Pic is helmed by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and kicks off with the baboon Rafiki relaying the legend of Mufasa to his granddaughter Kiara. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English babewin, from Middle French babouin, from baboue grimace

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing baboon

• baboon spider
• chacma baboon
• gelada baboon
• hamadryas baboon
• sacred baboon

Kids Definition

baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails