zookeeper

noun

zoo·keep·er | \ ˈzü-ˌkē-pər

How to pronounce zookeeper (audio)

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Definition of zookeeper

: one who maintains or cares for animals in a zoo

Examples of zookeeper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wildlife in the Midwest typically do well in the winter, but the cold snap and heavy snow have left many animals struggling, said O’Leary, a former zookeeper. — Gloria Casas, chicagotribune.com, "Multiple snowstorms and sub-zero temps are taking a toll on wildlife, Kane County rehab center says," 19 Feb. 2021 The group trained their attention on the hill, where a zookeeper had placed a big bauble filled with a bloodsicle, a tiger's favorite treat. — Jenna Ross, Star Tribune, "Minnesota Orchestra plays with tigers and bears for its first TV children's concert," 8 Feb. 2021 Juan Rodriguez, a zookeeper at the zoo, will introduce its population of clouded leopards and answer questions about their special characteristics and natural habitats. — New York Times, "Hang Out With Clouded Leopards and Watch ‘Another Round’," 9 Jan. 2021 At the heart of the seven-part series was a convoluted feud between Joe Exotic, a flamboyant, mullet-sporting Oklahoman zookeeper, and a goggle-eyed Florida animal rescuer named Carole Baskin. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, "The Year in Quarantine Viewing," 30 Dec. 2020 The former zookeeper — whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage — is serving 22 years in federal prison on murder-for-hire crimes and other offenses involving his animals. — al, "Tiger King Joe Exotic still pushing for Trump pardon," 28 Dec. 2020 The virus’ victims included Mary J. Wilson, the first African American senior zookeeper at what is now the Maryland Zoo, and Dorothy Krug, who went from being a secretary to first female vice president of T. Rowe Price Group. — Alex Mann, baltimoresun.com, "‘It tore our hearts apart’: The coronavirus killed 5,000 Marylanders this year. Many families couldn’t even say goodbye.," 23 Dec. 2020 Inspired by her mother, Sharron Wilson Jackson became the first Black woman to be zookeeper at the Omaha City Zoo. — Reginald Dwayne Betts Kiese Makeba Laymon Carina Del Valle Schorske Dessa Irina Aleksander Sam Dolnick Mark Binelli Maggie Jones Rob Hoerburger Jamie Lauren Keiles Devin Gordon Jazmine Hughes Jenna Wortham Jade Chang Taffy Brodesser-akner Kaitlyn Greenidge Rowan Ricardo Phillips Michael Paterniti Wesley Morris Ismail Muhammad Anthony Giardina, New York Times, "Remembering some of the artists, innovators and thinkers we lost in the past year.," 23 Dec. 2020 Caty Coutant, the primary zookeeper for the flamingos, named the group of 2006 hatchlings Armani, Versace, Valentino, Calvin, Gucci and Prada. — jsonline.com, "11 animal personalities you have to meet at the Milwaukee County Zoo," 23 Dec. 2020

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

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Last Updated

26 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Zookeeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zookeeper. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for zookeeper

zookeeper

noun

English Language Learners Definition of zookeeper

: a person who takes care of the animals in a zoo

See the full definition for zookeeper in the English Language Learners Dictionary

zookeeper

noun

zoo·keep·er | \ ˈzü-ˌkē-pər

\

Kids Definition of zookeeper

: a person who cares for animals in a zoo

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