gibbon

noun

gib·​bon ˈgi-bən 

: any of a genus (Hylobates of the family Hylobatidae) of agile brachiating tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are the smallest and most arboreal anthropoid apes

Illustration of gibbon

Examples of gibbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The macaws close to the parking lot were raucous and talkative and the gibbons further in the park were loudly singing. —The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024

At Stone Zoo, that includes the jaguar, snow leopards, black bears and white-cheeked gibbons. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 21 June 2024

Today, gibbons prefer soft fruits in the high canopies, while orangutans eat harder foods closer to the ground, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024

The study authors likened the difference between the ancient species to that of modern gibbons and orangutans, which live together in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra in a behavior called sympatry. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gibbon

noun

gib·​bon ˈgib-ən 

: any of several tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are smaller and spend more time in trees than the gorilla, chimpanzee, and orangutan

Biographical Definition

Gibbon

biographical name

Gib·​bon ˈgi-bən 

Edward 1737–1794 English historian

Gibbonesque

ˌgi-bə-ˈnesk 

adjective

or Gibbonian

gi-ˈbō-nē-ən