silverback

[ sil-ver-bak ]

noun

1. an older male gorilla, usually the leader of a troop, whose hairs along the back turn gray with age.

silverback

/ ˈsɪlvəˌbæk /

noun

1. an older male gorilla with grey hair on its back

Word History and Origins

Origin of silverback¹

silver + back ¹

Example Sentences

Winston, a beloved 52-year-old western lowland gorilla and one of the oldest silverbacks in the world, died Saturday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, officials announced.

From Los Angeles Times

An admirer called him “the silverback gorilla of nerds.”

From New York Times

Both babies were sired by Kiburi, a 19-year-old silverback brought to the zoo from Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands as part of a conservation breeding program to help preserve the critically endangered gorilla subspecies.

From Seattle Times

It will only work if the group's alpha male, the silverback, is willing to accept the humans - if he does, his family will too.

From BBC

Sully lives in a troop led by silverback Mac, 39, that also includes two younger males Kamoli, 10, and JJ, six.

From BBC