gibbon

noun

gib·​bon ˈgi-bən How to pronounce gibbon (audio)
: any of a family (Hylobatidae) of agile brachiating tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are the smallest and most arboreal anthropoid apes

Illustration of gibbon

Illustration of gibbon

Examples of gibbon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His death is the second gibbon at the Sacramento Zoo in March. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026 Taipei will send white-handed gibbons to Shanghai as part of the exchange, the Taipei Times said. — Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 Taipei will send white-handed gibbons to Shanghai as part of the exchange, the Taipei Times said. — ABC News, 6 June 2026 Camera traps recorded squirrels, langur monkeys and macaques, followed by gibbons — a promising sign. — CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gibbon

Word History

Etymology

French

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gibbon was in 1774

Rhymes for gibbon

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Browse Nearby Words

gibbles
gibbon
Gibbon
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Cite this Entry

“Gibbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gibbon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gibbon

noun
gib·​bon ˈgib-ən How to pronounce gibbon (audio)
: any of several tailless apes of southeastern Asia that are smaller and spend more time in trees than the gorilla, chimpanzee, and orangutan

Biographical Definition

Gibbon

biographical name

Gib·​bon ˈgi-bən How to pronounce Gibbon (audio)
Edward 1737–1794 English historian
Gibbonesque
ˌgi-bə-ˈnesk How to pronounce Gibbon (audio)
adjective
or Gibbonian
gi-ˈbō-nē-ən How to pronounce Gibbon (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on gibbon

Nglish: Translation of gibbon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gibbon

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