capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌka-pi-ˈber-ə 

-ˈba-rə, 

-ˈbär-ə 

: a tailless semiaquatic South and Central American rodent (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length

Illustration of capybara

Examples of capybara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The kids also got to choose their own animal personas, with some opting to be cats, lions, cheetahs and even capybaras, before putting their own spin on the performance. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Even in the summer Tennessee heat, one attendee donned a capybara costume and walked around hugging other patrons. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

The zoo houses more than 100 animals including lions, tigers and capybaras, according to its website. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 19 June 2026

There were sharp edges in the kangaroo enclosure, for instance, and damage to the artificial grass floor of the capybara enclosure, inspectors said in January 2024. — Katie Surma, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese capibara, capivara, alteration of capiiuara, from Tupi kapiʔiwara, from kapíʔi grass, brush + -wara eater

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for capybara

• arikara
• ishihara
• alara
• amara
• antara
• aymara
• bambara
• camara
• damara
• gandhara
• gemara
• gurdwara

Kids Definition

capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌkap-i-ˈbar-ə  -ˈbär- 

: a tailless South American rodent often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length that is often found in or near water