giraffe

noun gi·raffe \ jə-ˈraf \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of giraffe

plural giraffes

1 or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines

2 capitalized : camelopardalis

—

giraffish

play \jə-ˈra-fish\ adjective

See giraffe defined for English-language learners

See giraffe defined for kids

Recent Examples of giraffe from the Web

Guests flipped through the Over The Moon journal, with pages adorned with Baker’s watercolors: newlywed zebras lounging in pj’s and honeymooning giraffes stretched out on a plane.

— Vogue, "Over The Moon Celebrates Its New Online Shop With a Bridal Fashion Week Garden Party," 12 Apr. 2018
One Kings Lane Some other notable finds from this sale: a porcelain pendant light for $174 (originally $498), a mosaic mirror for $159 (originally $399), and an adorable giraffe jewelry tray for $22 (originally $49).

— emily heller, Curbed, "One Kings Lane’s warehouse sale is offering 50 to 70 percent off," 10 Apr. 2018
Mama giraffe Sabra gave birth to a gangly calf Wednesday morning at Zoo Miami, the 52nd baby giraffa camelopardalis born there since the early ’70s, a zoo spokesman said.

— tonya alanez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Zoo Miami welcomes newborn giraffe. (They think it's a boy.)," 28 Mar. 2018
In 1965, Geoffrey the giraffe became the company's mascot, appearing in his first TV commercial in 1973.

— alexandra olson, chicagotribune.com, "Toys R Us founder dies days after chain's announced shutdown," 22 Mar. 2018
Julius Longfellow, an 11-year-old giraffe, was euthanized last April after losing the ability to stand following a shoulder injury.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Zoo Boise’s last tiger died Tuesday. It was ‘a sad day for everyone.’ | Idaho Statesman," 13 Mar. 2018
Three large renovation and expansion projects — the giraffe habitat, Devereux Tiger Forest and Holtzman Wildlife Foundation Red Panda forest — are to be completed this year.

— christina hall, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Zoo to build $10M Great Lakes Nature Center in Macomb County," 13 Feb. 2018
On Monday, Erin received a phone call from Inside Edition offering to fly her out from her home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York, to meet the giraffe that has made her famous.

— diana bruk, Country Living, "Giraffe Mom Finally Met April the Giraffe And The Photos Are Hysterical," 19 Apr. 2017
But here, animals roam and rule, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, and more.

— ian centrone, Esquire, "The 13 Best Under-the-Radar Travel Destinations for 2018," 9 Jan. 2018

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

Illustration of giraffe

Origin and Etymology of giraffe

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1600

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

GIRAFFE Defined for English Language Learners

giraffe

noun

Definition of giraffe for English Language Learners

: a very tall African animal that has an extremely long neck and legs

GIRAFFE Defined for Kids

giraffe

noun gi·raffe \ jə-ˈraf \

Definition of giraffe for Students

: a spotted mammal of Africa with a very long neck that feeds mostly on the leaves of trees and is the tallest of living animals on land

Learn More about giraffe

Spanish Central: Translation of giraffe Nglish: Translation of giraffe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of giraffe for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about giraffe

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giraffe

Definition of giraffe

giraffish

Recent Examples of giraffe from the Web

Illustration of giraffe

Origin and Etymology of giraffe

Other Mammals Terms

GIRAFFE Defined for English Language Learners

giraffe

Definition of giraffe for English Language Learners

GIRAFFE Defined for Kids

giraffe

Definition of giraffe for Students

Learn More about giraffe

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giraffe

Definition of giraffe

giraffish

Recent Examples of giraffe from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of giraffe

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GIRAFFE Defined for English Language Learners

giraffe

Definition of giraffe for English Language Learners

GIRAFFE Defined for Kids

giraffe

Definition of giraffe for Students

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