chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee (ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 

-pən-ˈzē,

-ˈpan-zē 

 sometimes  (ˌ)shim-

: an anthropoid ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla compare bonobo

Illustration of chimpanzee

Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The study found that among 528 species of mammals — including humans' closest relative the chimpanzee — females often have the advantage. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025

Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall dies Jane Goodall, the British primatologist and conservationist best known for her intimate studies of chimpanzees, died aged 91. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025

Jane, who'd been here before, was visiting to publicize more humane treatment of the chimpanzees in captivity. —Ron Arias, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025

The discoveries that chimpanzees make and use tools forever changed our understanding of our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Rhymes for chimpanzee

• mansi
• pansy
• tansy

Kids Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an African ape that is related to the gorilla but is smaller and spends more of its time in trees

Medical Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

-pən-; chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an anthropoid ape of the genus Pan (P. troglodytes) found in equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla see bonobo