great ape
noun
plural great apes
: any of several large primates including the orangutan, gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo that are classified in the same family (Hominidae) as humans
Examples of great ape in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This history begins in the trees, roughly 14 to 18 million years ago, according to evolutionary biologists, when our great ape ancestors likely developed sleeping platforms.
—
Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
He would, however, be gladly welcomed there, in strict compliance with the rules of the sanctuary, where no physical interaction between humans and great apes is allowed.
—Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
So, when looking at brain size and intelligence, the differences among human brains are relatively small compared to the differences between a human brain and any other great ape brain.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Safari Park has 11 of the great apes.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for great ape
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
He would, however, be gladly welcomed there, in strict compliance with the rules of the sanctuary, where no physical interaction between humans and great apes is allowed.
—Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
So, when looking at brain size and intelligence, the differences among human brains are relatively small compared to the differences between a human brain and any other great ape brain.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Safari Park has 11 of the great apes.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for great ape
Cite this Entry
“Great ape.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20ape. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
