hippo

noun

hip·​po ˈhi-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce hippo (audio)
plural hippos

Examples of hippo 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.
Moo Deng is also the granddaughter of Thailand's oldest hippo, Malee, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 11 July 2025 The zoo even held online auctions to allow people to sponsor the hippo's birthday, with all the proceeds going to raise funds for the zoo. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Greater Cincinnati can be pretty weird: chili on spaghetti, lots of love for a hippo named Fiona, an undying loyalty to local sports teams that seem to frequently let fans down. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Listen to this article A New Jersey man whose wife was mauled to death by a hippo on an African safari has sued the tour company that organized the trip. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hippo

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hippo was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Hippo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hippo. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

hippo

noun
hip·​po ˈhip-ō How to pronounce hippo (audio)
plural hippos

Geographical Definition

Hippo

geographical name

Hip·​po ˈhi-(ˌ)pō How to pronounce Hippo (audio)
variants or Hippo Regius
ˈrē-jəs How to pronounce Hippo (audio)
-jē-əs
ancient city in northern Africa south of modern Annaba, Algeria; chief town of Numidia

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