squirrel monkey

noun

Updated on: 10 Mar 2018

Definition of squirrel monkey

: any of several small soft-haired South American monkeys (genus Saimiri, especially S. sciureus of the family Cebidae) that have a long tail not used for grasping and are colored chiefly yellowish gray with a white face and black muzzle

Recent Examples of squirrel monkey from the Web

Adolescent and adult squirrel monkeys were trained to press a lever to give themselves infusions of nicotine.

— laurie mcginley, Washington Post, "Monkeys in a nicotine experiment can relax. Their future is looking up.," 26 Jan. 2018
Miss Baker was a squirrel monkey, one of a pair of monkeys that were the first animals to be launched into space and be recovered alive.

— kelly kazek | kkazek@al.com, AL.com, "Alabama Trivia: 50 fascinating facts to impress your friends," 19 Dec. 2017
Among wildlife likely to be encountered during the seven days on the boat are pink and gray river dolphins; parrots, tiger herons, laughing falcons and other interesting birds; squirrel monkeys and capuchin monkeys; sloths; and poison dart frogs.

— phil marty, chicagotribune.com, "Adventure on the Amazon River, mud on the Taj Mahal and Portugal on the cheap," 1 Sep. 2017
Scientists in Arkansas were using squirrel monkeys to study the addictive effects of nicotine.

— jessica parks, Philly.com, "A 'local hero' unveiled, attempted voter hack, and Center City movie theater | Morning Newsletter," 26 Sep. 2017
Visitors can walk through trails and get up close to one gorilla, one orangutan, five capuchins and dozens of Java macaques and squirrel monkeys.

— alan gomez, USA TODAY, "Miami monkeys prepare for Hurricane Irma," 9 Sep. 2017

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