capybara

American  

[kap-uh-bahr-uh] / ˌkæp əˈbɑr ə /

Or capibara

noun

1. a South American tailless rodent, Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris, living along the banks of rivers and lakes, having partly webbed feet: the largest living rodent.

---

capybara British  

/ ˌkæpɪˈbɑːrə /

noun

1. the largest rodent: a pig-sized amphibious hystricomorph, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, resembling a guinea pig and inhabiting river banks in Central and South America: family Hydrochoeridae

---

Etymology

Origin of capybara

1765–75; < New Latin < Portuguese capibara < Tupi

Example Sentences

Samba escaped from a temporary enclosure at Marwell Zoo a day after arriving from Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park in Suffolk with another capybara, Tango.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Teams searching for an escaped capybara say they are closing in on her location, with humane traps now being used as part of efforts to bring her home.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

In recent years the semi-aquatic capybara -- native to South America -- has gained a devoted following online, and its image is increasingly used on toys, clothing and home decor items.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

But years after that initial wave of capybara fever, the animals have emerged as one of the most ubiquitous figures in Mexico, leaving both tourists and locals at a loss.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

I confess that neither of us felt very comfortable on watch that night, lest the jaguar should come back for a further supply of capybara.

From The Three Lieutenants by Webb, Archibald