chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee (ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 

-pən-ˈzē, 

-ˈpan-zē 

sometimes (ˌ)shim-

: a great 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 series also features rare live footage of chimpanzees using rudimentary tools (twigs or branches) to fish for algae at the bottom of a pond (see top video). — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 Oct. 2026

In western Tanzania, the Mahale Mountains rise from the shores of Lake Tanganyika, creating one of Africa’s best settings for tracking wild chimpanzees on foot. — Liz Wheeler, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Ssebayiga and his team of Deaf guides lead expeditions like gorilla treks through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, rhino-tracking safaris at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and chimpanzee-watching in Kibale Forest National Park. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Wildlife experiences include a safari trek in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, made famous by the late Jane Goodall, who began her pioneering work with chimpanzees here in 1960. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

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