panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black-and-white mammal (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually classified with the bears (family Ursidae)

called also giant panda

Illustration of panda

• A red panda
• B panda 2

Examples of panda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The brand already offers a Hydrating Hydrogel Mask, an After Sun Hydrogel Mask and an Everyday Face Sheet Mask, which comes in three designs — a puppy, a unicorn and a panda. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026

While Jack Black was voicing Po the panda, his wife was in the recording booth playing a bunny. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026

The company’s robotic dogs were clad in panda suits for another segment. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026

Bamboo is so low in calories that pandas have to eat constantly just to maintain their energy, and can’t put on fat for the winter. —Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, perhaps from a language of the southeast Himalayas

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing panda

• giant panda
• lesser panda
• panda car
• red panda

Rhymes for panda

• banda
• ganda
• vanda
• aranda
• miranda
• veranda
• verandah
• jacaranda
• memoranda
• propaganda

Kids Definition

panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black and white mammal of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually considered to be closely related to the bears

called also giant panda