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• Primates
  Primates

  noun

  the order comprising the primates.
• primates
  primates

  The order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and human beings. Primates are distinguished from other animals in that they generally possess limbs capable of performing a variety of functions, hands and feet adapted for grasping (including opposable thumbs), flattened snouts, and other anatomical features. (See Linnean classification.)

Primates

American  

[prahy-may-teez] / praɪˈmeɪ tiz /

noun

1. the order comprising the primates.

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primates Cultural  

1. The order of mammals that includes monkeys, apes, and human beings. Primates are distinguished from other animals in that they generally possess limbs capable of performing a variety of functions, hands and feet adapted for grasping (including opposable thumbs), flattened snouts, and other anatomical features. (See Linnean classification.)

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Etymology

Origin of Primates

1765–75; < New Latin, plural of Latin prīmās one of the first, chief, principal. See primate

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Primates primates

Primates were already around by the time the asteroid struck, in a Northern Hemisphere spring 66 million years ago.

From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2024

Given up for adoption, Rachel eventually found herself at New York University’s Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Surgery in Primates, where she stayed for more than 15 years.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2024

"Primates have particular welfare needs that cannot be met by keeping them as a household pet and this legislation seeks to end this practice."

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2024

Primates aren’t the only exotic animals popular here.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2024

Primates — monkeys, chimps, baboons, humans — have the biggest brains of all mammals.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell

But here’s your daily reminder that humans are primates whose still-evolving brains are exponentially outpaced by technological advancement.

From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026

That the orangutan's original habitats had been burned and fragmented to the point they could no longer sustain the primates was the main driving factor behind relocating them, Yiara said.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

The rocks of the Santiago Formation have also produced early saber-toothed carnivores and primates, El Adli said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Humans and other primates show a different pattern.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

The reptilian part of the brain that resides in most animals, highly evolved primates and otherwise.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

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