panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də How to pronounce panda (audio)
1
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

Illustration of panda
  • A red panda
  • B panda 2

Examples of panda 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.
Zoo officials said the panda’s health had declined significantly during the last three weeks after several years of treatment for thyroid issues. Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Jan. 2026 The departure of pandas from Japan comes amid increasing hostility between the country and China that has seen Beijing suspend some food imports, block Japanese pop music and cancel concerts by Japanese performers, according to The Times. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 The AnAn panda robot can be useful to provide emotional support for elderly users, individuals living with dementia, and those experiencing loneliness. Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026 The two countries had made positive noises about continuing the loan, but tensions between them have increased since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could help defend Taiwan from any Chinese aggression, and whether coincidentally or not, the pandas appear to be on their way to China. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for panda

Word History

Etymology

French, perhaps from a language of the southeast Himalayas

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of panda was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Panda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panda. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

panda

noun
pan·​da ˈpan-də How to pronounce panda (audio)
1
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

More from Merriam-Webster on panda

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