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

The zoo initially announced the plan to lower their baboon population in February 2024, noting at the time that its number of baboons had grown to 40 — which exceeded its facilities’ capacity, as it was only meant to house about 25, per the outlets. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 30 July 2025

Its significance in baboons resonates with our intuitions about the value of paternal care in our own species. —Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 18 June 2025

Then their hair turns brown, resembling adult baboons. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025

As sunrise paints the rocks crimson only the call of baboons echoing between rocky escarpments punctuates the silence. —Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 2025

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

Rhymes for baboon

• attune
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn
• jejune

Kids Definition

baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün 

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