Washoe

American  

[wosh-oh, waw-shoh] / ˈwɒʃ oʊ, ˈwɔ ʃoʊ /

noun

1. 1965–2007, female chimpanzee: first ape trained to communicate with humans by means of a sign language.

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Etymology

Origin of Washoe

Named after Washoe County, in northwest Nevada, where the chimpanzee was raised

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Washoe

On Monday, shortly after authorities began downgrading some mandatory evacuation orders to warnings around Somersett, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said people were already venturing too far into dangerous wildlands.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County, home to Reno, and urged people in evacuation zones to heed warnings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County late Saturday, saying that the fire “is spreading quickly and threatening homes and structures.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

For six days, the city saw a seven-car convoy of black SUVs carry the media mogul and his family to the Washoe County Courthouse.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2024

Its waters are conveyed by tunnel, flume, etc., over the mountains, the Washoe Valley and up the mountain again to Virginia City.

From The Lake of the Sky Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras of California and Nevada, its History, Indians, Discovery by Frémont, Legendary Lore, Various Namings, Physical Characteristics, Glacial Phenomena, Geology, Single Outlet, Automobile Routes, Historic Towns, Early Mining Excitements, Steamer Ride, Mineral Springs, Mountain and Lake Resorts, Trail and Camping Out Trips, Summer Residences, Fishing, Hunting, Flowers, Birds, Animals, Trees, and Chaparral, with a Full Account of the Tahoe National Forest, the Public Use of the Water of Lake Tahoe and Much Other Interesting Matter by George Wharton James