bipedalism

noun

bi·​ped·​al·​ism (ˌ)bī-ˈpe-dᵊl-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce bipedalism (audio)
: the condition of having two feet or of using only two feet for locomotion

Examples of bipedalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Wheeler suspects that bipedalism also made possible two other uniquely human traits: our naked skin and large brains. Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 There was debate as to which came first: upright walking or higher cognition, with the dominant view being that the evolution of the human brain preceded the development of bipedalism. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024 The loss has long been associated with our transition to bipedalism, but little was known about the genetic factors that triggered primate taillessness. Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 But scientists have long debated the extent of her bipedalism. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for bipedalism 

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bipedalism was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near bipedalism

Cite this Entry

“Bipedalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bipedalism. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

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