tapir

[ tey-per, tuh-peer ]

noun

, plural ta·pirs, (especially collectively) ta·pir.

1. any of several large, stout, three-toed ungulates of the family Tapiridae, of Central and South America, the Malay Peninsula, and Sumatra, somewhat resembling swine and having a long, flexible snout: all species are threatened or endangered.

tapir

/ ˈteɪpə /

noun

1. any perissodactyl mammal of the genus Tapirus, such as T. indicus ( Malayan tapir ), of South and Central America and SE Asia, having an elongated snout, three-toed hind legs, and four-toed forelegs: family Tapiridae

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapir¹

1560–70; ≪ Tupi tapira

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapir¹

C18: from Tupi tapiira

Example Sentences

Researchers who captured footage of dog attacks on endangered mountain tapirs in Colombia are calling for action to protect threatened wildlife.

From Science Daily

"Animals like sloths and armadillos came north, while horses, tapirs, bears and elephants went south," said study co-author Bruce MacFadden, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

From Science Daily

Their phones were now full of oncillas, tapirs, great horned owls and the gleaming crowns of Mauritius palms at sunset.

From New York Times

This may also explain why other animals with trunks, such as tapirs, never developed such dextrous trunks as elephants, as they never moved into open lands.

From Science Daily

Titanotheres belong in the order Perissodactyla, along with rhinoceroses, tapirs and horses.

From Seattle Times