orangutan

noun

orang·u·tan ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ

-ˈraŋ-gə-,

-ˌtan

: any of several largely herbivorous arboreal great apes (Pongo pygmaeus, P. abelii, and P. tapanuliensis) of Borneo and Sumatra that are about ²/₃ as large as the gorilla and have brown skin, long sparse reddish-brown hair, and very long arms

Examples of orangutan in a Sentence

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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.

The Sacramento Zoo is mourning the death of Makan, its male Sumatran orangutan. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Crews with older kids will find lots to love on the island of Java, and enthralling encounters with Bornean orangutans via riverboat cruise in Kalimantan. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026 Researchers tickled 13 captive apes — including gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos — and recorded the results. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 The analysis found 58 Tapanuli orangutans were killed, accounting for 11% of the local population and 7% of the total global population. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for orangutan

Word History

Etymology

Bazaar Malay (Malay-based pidgin), from Malay orang man + hutan forest

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of orangutan was in 1691

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Orang Laut

orangutan

Oranian

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Style

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

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Kids Definition

orangutan

noun

orang·utan

ə-ˈraŋ-ə-ˌtaŋ,

-ˌtan

: a large anthropoid ape of Borneo and Sumatra that is about ⅔ as large as a gorilla, eats mostly plants, lives in trees, and has very long arms, long thin reddish brown hair, and a nearly hairless face

orangutan

noun

Illustration of orangutan

Examples of orangutan in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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