baboon

American  

[ba-boon, buh-] / bæˈbun, bə- /

noun

1. any of various large, terrestrial monkeys of the genus Papio and related genera, of Africa and Arabia, having a doglike muzzle, large cheek pouches, and a short tail.

2. a coarse, ridiculous, or brutish person, especially one of low intelligence.

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baboon British  

/ bəˈbuːn /

noun

1. any of several medium-sized omnivorous Old World monkeys of the genus Papio (or Chaeropithecus ) and related genera, inhabiting open rocky ground or wooded regions of Africa. They have an elongated muzzle, large teeth, and a fairly long tail See also hamadryas gelada

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Other Word Forms

• baboonish adjective

Etymology

Origin of baboon

1275–1325; Middle English baboyne, babewyn grotesque figure, gargoyle, late Middle English: baboon (compare Anglo-Latin babevynus ) < Middle French babouin, akin to babine pendulous lip, derivative of an expressive base *bab- grimace

Compare meaning

How does baboon compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mandrill vs. baboon

Example Sentences

Indeed, the Jane Goodall Institute now runs a longstanding baboon research project based partly on the fact that baboons are important chimpanzee prey.

From Salon • Oct. 1, 2025

“They were showing Ridley the baboon because it was an interesting anatomical structure,” Bakowski recalls.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024

In this study, the researchers examined a collection of baboon mummies from the ancient Egyptian site of Gabbanat el-Qurud, the so-called Valley of the Monkeys on the west bank of Luxor.

From Science Daily • Dec. 6, 2023

Whether you’re a human or an elephant, a baboon or a fish, adversity experienced early in life is often linked to negative effects on longevity and health in adulthood.

From Scientific American • May 23, 2023

She could still see the baboon from the large island.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• monkey