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 legendary zoologist and conservationist, who dedicated her life to the study of chimpanzees, died at 91 from cardiac arrest, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025

Goodall was seen as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025

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

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