Illustration of okapi
: an African ungulate mammal (Okapia johnstoni) that is closely related to the giraffe but has a relatively short neck, a coat typically of solid reddish chestnut on the trunk, yellowish white on the cheeks, and purplish-black and cream rings on the upper parts of the legs
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Like their giraffe cousins, okapi have a long tongue used for stripping leaves from trees, according to National Geographic.
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Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
The okapi’s birth is not only a milestone for the Sacramento Zoo, but for the endangered species, the only living relative of the giraffe and one of fewer than 100 of the species across 27 U.S. installations within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said zoo officials.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
During a visit to the Congo Expedition exhibit, patrons can spot tropical rainforest-dwelling creatures like the okapi and western lowland gorilla, while the Asia Quest zone draws crowds in droves thanks to residents like the Asian elephant, Amur tiger and Pallas’ cat.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The okapi’s scientific name, okapia johnstoni, is named after Johnston, though indigenous people had already known of the okapi’s existence long before.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
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Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
The okapi’s birth is not only a milestone for the Sacramento Zoo, but for the endangered species, the only living relative of the giraffe and one of fewer than 100 of the species across 27 U.S. installations within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said zoo officials.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2025
During a visit to the Congo Expedition exhibit, patrons can spot tropical rainforest-dwelling creatures like the okapi and western lowland gorilla, while the Asia Quest zone draws crowds in droves thanks to residents like the Asian elephant, Amur tiger and Pallas’ cat.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The okapi’s scientific name, okapia johnstoni, is named after Johnston, though indigenous people had already known of the okapi’s existence long before.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for okapi
Cite this Entry
“Okapi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/okapi. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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okapi
noun
oka·pi
ō-ˈkäp-ē 
: an African mammal closely related to the giraffe but lacking the long neck
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