giraffe

noun

gi·​raffe jə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes
1
or plural giraffe : a large fleet African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) that is the tallest of living quadrupeds and has a very long neck and a short coat with dark blotches separated by pale lines
2
Giraffe : camelopardalis
giraffish
jə-ˈra-fish How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
adjective

Illustration of giraffe

Illustration of giraffe
  • giraffe 1

Examples of giraffe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And thanks to conservation efforts, healthy populations of giraffes and cheetahs also call Phinda home, completing the Magnificent 7. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026 Animals like an elephant, rhino or a giraffe, can't fit in a CT scanner, or even a van, so vets bring the check up to them. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The footage offers a peek into Kio’s surroundings, including zebra and giraffe neighbors who tower over the cub, and smaller animals who keep a watchful eye on the growing big cat. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026 Newborn ruminants like antelopes, bison and giraffes also need those antibodies. — Joey Schamber, jsonline.com, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for giraffe

Word History

Etymology

Italian giraffa, from Arabic zirāfa

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of giraffe was circa 1600

Phrases Containing giraffe

Rhymes for giraffe

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Browse Nearby Words

Giraffa
giraffe
giraffe camel
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Cite this Entry

“Giraffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giraffe. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

giraffe

noun
gi·​raffe ˈjə-ˈraf How to pronounce giraffe (audio)
plural giraffes or giraffe
: a large swift cud-chewing spotted African mammal with a very long neck that is the tallest of living four-footed animals

More from Merriam-Webster on giraffe

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about giraffe

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