Gigantopithecus

American  

[jahy-gan-toh-pi-thee-kuhs, -pith-i-kuhs, ji-] / dʒaɪˌgæn toʊ pɪˈθi kəs, -ˈpɪθ ɪ kəs, dʒɪ- /

noun

1. a genus of extinct ape of southern Asia existing during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs, known only from very large fossil jaws and teeth and believed to be perhaps the biggest hominoid that ever lived.

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Etymology

Origin of Gigantopithecus

1940–45; < New Latin < Greek gigant- (stem of gígās ) giant + -o- -o- + píthēkos ape

Example Sentences

The samples included both modern and archaic humans such as Neanderthals, early human ancestors like Australopithecus africanus, and extinct great apes including Gigantopithecus blacki.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025

For reasons yet unknown, Westaway says, some of the last Gigantopithecus were among the largest.

From National Geographic • Jan. 10, 2024

As the forested home of Gigantopithecus rapidly changed, the ape couldn’t adapt to the expanding grasslands.

From National Geographic • Jan. 10, 2024

Additionally, Luoys notes, fossils of Gigantopithecus have been described from Thailand, Vietnam, and possibly Java.

From National Geographic • Jan. 10, 2024

Around 215,000 years ago, the last Gigantopithecus perished as the apes could not keep pace with changing habitats.

From National Geographic • Jan. 10, 2024