okapi

American  

[oh-kah-pee] / oʊˈkɑ pi /

noun

plural

okapis,

plural

okapi

1. an African mammal, Okapia johnstoni, closely related to and resembling the giraffe, but smaller and with a much shorter neck.

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okapi British  

/ əʊˈkɑːpɪ /

noun

1. a ruminant mammal, Okapia johnstoni, of the forests of central Africa, having a reddish-brown coat with horizontal white stripes on the legs and small horns: family Giraffidae

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Etymology

Origin of okapi

1900; < Bambuba (Mvu’ba), a Central Sudanic language of the NE Democratic Republic of the Congo (or < a related Pygmy dial.), according to English Africanist Harry Johnston (1858–1927), author of the first zoological descriptions of the animal

Example Sentences

In an interview with UN-backed Radio Okapi, Purusi denied Uvira had fallen to the M23, saying the city remained under the control of government forces.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

Performing solo with Okapi and Requiem on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. at Rhizome, 6950 Maple St. NW. rhizomedc.org. $5-$20.

From Washington Post • Nov. 2, 2021

Menas also voiced the nonbinary character Odee the Okapi in one episode of DreamWorks’ “Madagascar: A Little Wild.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2021

Bruce Goldfarb, president of proxy solicitor Okapi Partners LLC, said he expected the changes would only have a marginal impact.

From Reuters • Oct. 7, 2021

The Okapi was driven into the bank, and the old man stepped ashore.

From In Search of the Okapi A Story of Adventure in Central Africa by Glanville, Ernest