baboon

noun

ba·​boon ba-ˈbün How to pronounce baboon (audio)
 chiefly British  bə-
: any of a genus (Papio) of large gregarious primates of Africa and southwestern Asia having a long square naked muzzle
also : any of several closely related primates

Illustration of baboon

Illustration of baboon

Examples of baboon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The burial of baboons in tombs dates back to the predynastic period. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 Of the 36 baboons, only 4 seemed to be in good health. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 The analysis of at least 36 individual baboons is detailed in a study published December 6 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Dec. 2023 For the most part, the Egyptians likely didn’t treat the baboons with physical violence. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 In this study, the team examined a collection of baboon mummies uncovered in 1905 and 1906 from the ancient Egyptian site Gabbanat el-Qurud. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Dec. 2023 Doctors proposed a last-resort, experimental transplant, replacing her defective organ with a walnut-sized young baboon heart. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Nov. 2023 Maybe the most important question is yet to be answered: Why did the ancient Egyptians revere baboons? Miriam Fauzia, Ars Technica, 11 Nov. 2023 In 1984 an infant known as Baby Fae received a baboon heart and lived for three weeks before her immune system rejected the organ. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baboon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English babewin, from Middle French babouin, from baboue grimace

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of baboon was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near baboon

Cite this Entry

“Baboon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baboon. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

baboon

noun
ba·​boon ba-ˈbün How to pronounce baboon (audio)
: any of several large African and Asian monkeys having long squarish muzzles and usually short tails

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