Illustration of macaque
: any of a genus (Macaca) of chiefly Asian monkeys typically having a sturdy build and including some short-tailed or tailless forms
especially
: rhesus monkey
Examples of macaque in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Camera traps recorded squirrels, langur monkeys and macaques, followed by gibbons — a promising sign.
—
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite heavy discouragement from local authorities, macaques are unlikely to reduce their junk food consumption, given the popularity of the tourist attraction and their history of interacting with humans dating back to the 18th century.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
In the new study, published on Wednesday in Scientific Reports, University of Cambridge biological anthropologist Sylvain Lemoine and his team report observing the macaques intentionally eating soil, dirt and clay—a practice known as geophagy.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
An old male Japanese macaque maintained alpha status as his ability to walk deteriorated, but only through an alliance with the alpha female.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
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CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Despite heavy discouragement from local authorities, macaques are unlikely to reduce their junk food consumption, given the popularity of the tourist attraction and their history of interacting with humans dating back to the 18th century.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
In the new study, published on Wednesday in Scientific Reports, University of Cambridge biological anthropologist Sylvain Lemoine and his team report observing the macaques intentionally eating soil, dirt and clay—a practice known as geophagy.
—Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
An old male Japanese macaque maintained alpha status as his ability to walk deteriorated, but only through an alliance with the alpha female.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for macaque
Cite this Entry
“Macaque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macaque. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
: any of various monkeys mostly from Asia that includes some with either short or no tails
especially
: rhesus monkey
Etymology
French, from Portuguese macaco, from makaku, plural of kaku, name for an African monkey in one or more Bantu languages of Gabon and Congo
Medical Definition
: any of numerous short-tailed Old World monkeys of the genus Macaca and related genera chiefly of southern Asia
especially
: rhesus monkey
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