bonobo

[ buh-noh-boh ]

noun

, plural bo·no·bos.

1. a small chimpanzee, Pan paniscus, primarily of swamp forests in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, having long legs, black face, pink lips, and parted hair on its head: an endangered species.

bonobo

/ ˈbɒnəbəʊ /

noun

1. an anthropoid ape, Pan paniscus , of central W Africa: similar to the chimpanzee but much smaller and having a black face Also calledpygmy chimpanzee

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonobo¹

First recorded in 1950–55; origin uncertain; probably from a Bantu language spoken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonobo¹

C20: from W African language

Example Sentences

That ancestor, who lived roughly 7 million years ago, had hands designed much like those of tree-adept, knuckle-walking chimps and bonobos, he and his colleagues say.

From Science News

It may be because chimpanzees have natural predators and bonobos, for geographical reasons, don’t.

From Nautilus

That was especially true of higher-ranking bonobos in the community, suggesting some awareness of having broken a joint commitment and wanting to signal friendly intent when rejoining lower-ranking grooming partners, the scientists say.

From Science News

In previous studies, even 3-year-old children were much less willing to interrupt joint tasks for rewards than bonobos were in the new experiments.

From Science News

Still, it’s likely that bonobos think in less complex ways than people do about mutual commitments, Heesen and colleagues say.

From Science News