chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee (ˌ)chim-ˌpan-ˈzē 

-pən-ˈzē,

-ˈpan-zē 

 sometimes  (ˌ)shim-

: an anthropoid ape (Pan troglodytes) of equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla compare bonobo

Illustration of chimpanzee

Examples of chimpanzee in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With only 5,500 wild Western chimpanzees remaining, the chimpanzee population’s fate reflects the health of the forest. —David McKenzie, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024

From $275 Kibale Lodge (Uganda) Volcanoes Safaris has been known for its top-level eco-tourism lodges in Uganda and Rwanda for over two decades, and this new opening, in Kibale National Park, is one for chimpanzee lovers. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024

Perhaps most striking though, was the behavior of a captive troop of chimpanzees at the Yerkes Primate Research Center on the campus of Emory University in Georgia, during an annular eclipse on May 30, 1984. —TIME, 25 Mar. 2024

The scientist had taught the chimpanzee to communicate, but even in the face of a clear request, the scientist couldn’t help him. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2024

The sanctuary not only shelters orphaned chimpanzees but serves as a conservation leader in Sierra Leone, managing several national parks, and battling against rapid deforestation that threatens the entire region. —David McKenzie, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024

Few creatures capture our imagination and curiosity as much as the chimpanzee. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024

Scientists estimate that humans share about 98.8% of our DNA with chimpanzees. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024

This lovely documentary from Brett Morgen (Moonage Daydream) chronicles primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking research with chimpanzees. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 21 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Kids Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an African ape that is related to the gorilla but is smaller and spends more of its time in trees

Medical Definition

chimpanzee

noun

chim·​pan·​zee ˌchim-ˌpan-ˈzē  ˌshim- 

-pən-; chim-ˈpan-zē,

shim-

: an anthropoid ape of the genus Pan (P. troglodytes) found in equatorial Africa that is smaller and more arboreal than the gorilla see bonobo