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

Far from humans, however, chimpanzees are unlikely to get drunk, since that would threaten their chances of surviving in the wild. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Koko the gorilla and Washoe the chimpanzee learned signs that were adapted from American Sign Language. —Kate Wong, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2025

The story follows Owen Teague as Noa, a young chimpanzee who is forced on a journey of self-discovery after his village comes under attack. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025

Read Next World Rare video of chimpanzee using tool caught on trail cam. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Kongo dialect chimpenzi

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chimpanzee

• pygmy chimpanzee

Rhymes for chimpanzee

• mansi
• pansy
• tansy

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