squirrel monkey

noun

: 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

Examples of squirrel monkey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Reid Park Zoo in Tucson announced Wednesday the death of one of its two squirrel monkeys, which reportedly died due to complications during pregnancy. Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2023 The squirrel monkeys were tested with mealworms and were fooled 93 percent of the time. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2023 While less dexterous than their capuchin counterparts, squirrel monkeys have limited thumb rotation, but can oppose their thumbs. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2023 This January, 12 squirrel monkeys were stolen from a zoo in Louisiana. Jamie Landers, Dallas News, 14 Mar. 2023 The walkways near these exhibits mirror the animal habitats, with kids able to run and jump on roped bridges, platforms and a mock tree that resembles the design of the squirrel monkey exhibit. San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2021 The festivities included Fiesta favorites — like a booth with chicken-on-a-stick — in addition to Mexican folk dance performances and presentations about animals native to South and Central America, including the squirrel monkey and the tamandua, a type of anteater. Emilie Eaton, San Antonio Express-News, 27 June 2021 Inside them was a live squirrel monkey. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2020 The thief had first targeted the facilities of smaller primates before gaining access to the squirrel monkey exhibit and successfully stealing 12 of the 38 monkeys in that enclosure, according to zoo officials. Bynadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squirrel monkey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squirrel monkey was in 1773

Dictionary Entries Near squirrel monkey

Cite this Entry

“Squirrel monkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squirrel%20monkey. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

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