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

They were called panda 50 years before the large black and white panda. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026

While the male panda immediately began to explore his new home and ate, the female remained cautious and preferred to observe, the Taipei Zoo said. —Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Even though the animals are adorable, being a panda keeper isn’t always cute. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The two pandas have yet to be named. —ABC News, 6 June 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
• trash 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