gibbon

play

noun gib·bon \ˈgi-bən\

Definition of gibbon

: 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

See gibbon defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of gibbon from the Web

Gibbons will discuss the socioeconomic and political impact of the decade as well as the end of the Cold War.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville", 1 July 2017
Gibbons' opinions were and are pretty commonplace, but Team Mandel's attacks illustrate the difference between being in private business and running for office, particularly amid today's shifting political winds regarding international trade.

— andrew j. tobias, cleveland.com, "Bangkok blunder: Super PAC takes down footage of Thailand construction site used to promote Ohio GOP Senate candidate", 16 June 2017
Mayor Bob Henry, who appointed Gibbons to fill Pam White’s remaining term after White was elected Canyon County commissioner, announced Gibbons’ resignation Tuesday and apologized for the error.

— kristin rodine, idahostatesman, "Nampa reviews votes after learning councilwoman didn’t live in city limits", 14 June 2017
Starting pitcher Trevor Kniskern got the win for the Tornadoes, going six innings and giving up just one walk and two hits while fanning 10 Gibbons batters.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broward, Palm Beach high school sports (Tues., May 16)", 16 May 2017
They can be found basking in the JungleWorld exhibit, along with white-cheeked gibbons, painted storks, and Indian fruit bats.

— The New Yorker, "Visiting the Bronx Zoo’s Endangered Reptiles", 15 May 2017
Gibbons received an invitation to a December all-star game known as the National Bowl in Florida, featuring seniors from FCS (formerly known as I-AA) and NCAA Division II and III schools.

— rick armstrong, Aurora Beacon-News, "Armstrong: Hard not to like NFL long shot Justin Gibbons of Aurora University", 13 May 2017
Just last week, a team of researchers described a new species of gibbon in China.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "Most Primate Species Threatened With Extinction, Scientists Find", 18 Jan. 2017
In China, a subspecies called the white-handed gibbon may have gone extinct as well.

— carl zimmer, New York Times, "Most Primate Species Threatened With Extinction, Scientists Find", 18 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gibbon'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.