gibbon

noun

gib·​bon ˈgi-bən 

: any of a 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

Ewell arrived at the zoo in 1976 and went on to become the oldest male white-handed gibbon at any Association of Zoos & Aquariums institution. —Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

The gibbon had lived 14 years above the average life expectancy of his species, according to the post. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026

There were as many as 2,000 Hainan gibbons living on the island in the 1950s, but deforestation and hunting led to a severe decline, according to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), which is working to conserve the species. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026

Skywalker gibbons are particularly famous for their vocal prowess, with their songs echoing across the forest canopy. —K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gibbon

• ribbon
• inhibin

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