giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes
1
or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
2
capitalized : camelopardalis
giraffish adjective

Illustration of giraffe

Illustration of giraffe
  • giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The park runs car safaris in the over 17-acre (7 hectares) area, according to the zoo's website, where Arctic wolves as well as bears, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceroses and other animals are allowed to roam free. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 24 June 2024 Other animals’ native regions are similarly dry and arid, such as Africa or the Middle East, from which the zoo’s lions, giraffes, cheetahs and Arabian onyx originate. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 21 June 2024 As the boy falls asleep at a table, a mini toy giraffe on the table next to him comes to life. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2024 But adult male giraffes are also about 30% to 50% larger than female giraffes. Douglas R. Cavener, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for giraffe 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giraffe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of giraffe was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near giraffe

Cite this Entry

“Giraffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giraffe. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

giraffe

noun
gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes or giraffe
: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals

More from Merriam-Webster on giraffe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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