either of two species (genus Giraffa, family Giraffidae) of African ruminants, with a very long neck and legs: the tallest of existing animals, they often reach a height of 5.5 m (c. 18 ft)
See giraffe in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(jə-răfˈ)
nounpl.gi·raffes or giraffe
An African ruminant mammal (Giraffa camelopardalis) having a very long neck and legs, a tan coat with orange-brown to black blotches, and short horns. It is the tallest land animal, often reaching a height of 5 meters (16 1/2 feet), and feeds principally by browsing in the tree canopy of wooded grasslands.