rhesus monkey

noun

rhe·​sus monkey ˈrē-səs- 

: a pale brown Asian macaque (Macaca mulatta) often used in medical research

called also rhesus, rhesus macaque

Examples of rhesus monkey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As demonstrated in a classic 1975 study published in Developmental Psychobiology, researchers examined infant rhesus monkeys raised with human caregivers or surrogate peers, while also monitoring their reactions to the removal of their attachment objects at 6 months of age. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026

White studied groups of rhesus monkeys under hypothermic conditions, documenting their memory and cognitive function. —Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2026

For example, because rhesus monkeys are much more closely related to us than are capuchins, rhesus monkeys are generally better subjects for preliminary tests of human vaccines. —Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026

The vehicle was hauling 21 rhesus monkeys at the time of the incident, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department said. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Rhesus, genus of monkeys, from Latin, a mythical king of Thrace, from Greek Rhēsos

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rhesus monkey

• chunky
• funky
• hunky
• junkie
• spunky

Kids Definition

rhesus monkey

noun

rhe·​sus monkey ˌrē-səs- 

: a pale brown Asian monkey often used in medical research

Medical Definition

rhesus monkey

noun

: a pale brown Asian monkey of the genus Macaca (M. mulatta) often used in medical research