okapi

noun

oka·pi | \ ō-ˈkä-pē

How to pronounce okapi (audio)

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Definition 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

Examples of okapi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meghan the baby okapi was born at a London zoo in December after a 30-minute labor. — Felice León, The Root, "Watch: There’s a New Meghan in Town ... and She’s an Animal," 18 Jan. 2018 In fact, their endangered status is part of the reason why (okapi) Meghan got her name. — Evelyn Wang, Teen Vogue, "The Zoological Society of London Named Their New Okapi After Meghan Markle," 18 Jan. 2018 Its silhouette is also quite different, with the nine-foot tall creature resembling a moose with a long neck or an okapi, the other member of the giraffid family that’s alive today. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Four-Horned Giraffe Ancestor Unearthed in Spain," 3 Nov. 2017 The study also indicates that our remaining giraffids, the giraffe and the okapi, are actually pretty far apart in evolutionary terms reports Weintraub. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Four-Horned Giraffe Ancestor Unearthed in Spain," 3 Nov. 2017 Biologists think the zebra-like stripes of the okapi — a.k.a. — Brandon Keim, WIRED, "How “Africa’s Unicorn” Hides Itself," 11 Sep. 2008

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

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The first known use of okapi was in 1900

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More Definitions for okapi

okapi

noun

oka·pi | \ ō-ˈkä-pē

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Kids Definition of okapi

: an animal of the African forests related to the giraffe

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