orangutan

noun

orang·​u·​tan ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ 

-ˈraŋ-gə-, 

-ˌtan 

: any of several largely herbivorous arboreal great apes (Pongo pygmaeus, P. abelii, and P. tapanuliensis) of Borneo and Sumatra that are about ²/₃ as large as the gorilla and have brown skin, long sparse reddish-brown hair, and very long arms

Illustration of orangutan

Examples of orangutan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The animals, including Rosie the elephant, a lion named Rex, an orangutan named Agnes and a dog named Queenie, are portrayed either with puppets or with circus performers wearing elaborate costumes. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026

Unlike Eirina, another orangutan at the zoo, Hesty did not have extreme morning sickness that required daily cups of tea. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 May 2026

The baby monkey became an internet star earlier this year after the zoo posted photos of him clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort after being rejected by his mother. —Frank Andrews, CBS News, 18 May 2026

For months, photos and videos of Punch with his orangutan and interacting with other monkeys in his exhibit went viral. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Bazaar Malay (Malay-based pidgin), from Malay orang man + hutan forest

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orangutan

noun

orang·​utan

ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ, 

-ˌtan

: a large anthropoid ape of Borneo and Sumatra that is about ⅔ as large as a gorilla, eats mostly plants, lives in trees, and has very long arms, long thin reddish brown hair, and a nearly hairless face