tamarin

noun

tam·​a·​rin ˈta-mə-rən 

-ˌran

: any of numerous small chiefly South American monkeys (genus Saguinus) that are related to the marmosets and have silky fur, a long tail, and lower canine teeth that are longer than the incisors

Examples of tamarin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The release went on to share several key facts about the tiny primates, including that only 2,000 mature cotton-top tamarins — which are native to the forests of northwestern Colombia — exist in the wild. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

In the past, the Small Mammals Building has been the home of such animals as fruit bats, sloths, porcupines, armadillos, tamarins, otters, lemurs and mongooses. —Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025

The tamarin’s exhibit is in the Sobela Ocean Aquarium. —Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025

In Iowa, a zoo euthanized a 3-week-old cotton-top tamarin monkey in mid-March after the primate was found in declining health, the Des Moines' Blank Park Zoo said. —Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French tamary, tamarin, perhaps of Tupian origin

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tamarin

• golden lion tamarin