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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ziggy lives in the Giraffe Building with female giraffes Marlee and Maya and male giraffe Kendi, who came to Milwaukee in late 2023. Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025 Guests can experience up-close encounters with PJ the rhino, feed giraffes, meet petting zoo animals or ride a miniature train. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 July 2025 There’s a rainforest trail and seal cove, sharks and stingrays, Siberian and Bengal tigers, grey wolves, lions, giraffes and more on display for guests at the park. Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 25 May 2025 New giraffe mothers also split from their herds in the wild. Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for giraffe

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

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Cite this Entry

“Giraffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giraffe. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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

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