capuchin

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noun ca·pu·chin \ˈka-pyə-shən, -pə-, especially for sense 3 also kə-ˈpyü-, -ˈpü-\

Definition of capuchin

1 capitalized : a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin forming since 1529 an austere branch of the first order of St. Francis of Assisi engaged in missionary work and preaching
2 : a hooded cloak for women
3 : any of a genus (Cebus) of South and Central American monkeys; especially : one (C. capucinus) with the dark hair on its crown resembling a close-fitting cap

Recent Examples of capuchin from the Web

The 2015 shoot for the latest release from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise included two capuchin monkeys from California being shipped to Australia to serve as the pet for Barbossa, played by Geoffrey Rush.

— etan vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, "PETA Calls On Jerry Bruckheimer to End Wild Animal Use On-Set," 2 June 2017
Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow, as is Geoffrey Rush as a well-bearded Barbossa, looking a lot like the Cowardly Lion, and his faithful capuchin monkey.

— mark kennedy, idahostatesman, "Fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ flick fights bloat," 25 May 2017
Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow, as is Geoffrey Rush as a well-bearded Barbossa, looking a lot like the Cowardly Lion, and his faithful capuchin monkey.

— mark kennedy, idahostatesman, "Fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ flick fights bloat," 25 May 2017
Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow, as is Geoffrey Rush as a well-bearded Barbossa, looking a lot like the Cowardly Lion, and his faithful capuchin monkey.

— mark kennedy, charlotteobserver, "Review: Fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ flick fights bloat," 24 May 2017
Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow, as is Geoffrey Rush as a well-bearded Barbossa, looking a lot like the Cowardly Lion, and his faithful capuchin monkey.

— mark kennedy, charlotteobserver, "Review: Fifth ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ flick fights bloat," 24 May 2017
Johnny Depp is back as Jack Sparrow, as is Geoffrey Rush as a well-bearded Barbossa, looking a lot like the Cowardly Lion, and his faithful capuchin monkey.

— mark kennedy, chicagotribune.com, "'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' review: Speak no more, Jack Sparrow," 22 May 2017
While Serra da Capivara capuchins pound the husks off of fresh cashews, for instance, capuchins at a second, more southerly site called Fazenda Boa Vista prefer to use rocks on bigger palm nuts and old cashews, but not fresh ones.

— michael greshko, National Geographic, "Oldest Non-Human Stone Tools Outside Africa Created by Monkeys," 11 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capuchin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Members of a genus of tropical monkeys (four species altogether) capuchins are found from Nicaragua to Paraguay. Considered among the most intelligent New World monkeys, capuchins are so-named because of their cap of crown hair, which resembles the cowl of Capuchin monks. These stocky, round-headed monkeys are 12-22 in. (30-55 cm) long, with a hairy, prehensile tail of about the same length. They are brown or black in color, sometimes with white markings. Capuchins live in troops, often in the treetops. They eat fruit and small animals and sometimes raid plantations for oranges and other food. They are easily trained and are valued as gentle pets.