penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən 

ˈpeŋ-

: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere

Examples of penguin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

They’ve been seen, for example, corralling schools of rays, creating waves to push penguins from ice blocks and extracting the livers of white sharks. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

There are about 700 penguins at the colony in the picturesque coastal town in the South Island, and 500 more at another nearby. — Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Naturalists and photo guides help guests spot iconic species like blue-footed boobies and Galápagos penguins, as well as other remarkable creatures. — Kristen E. Pope, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

The organization has learned what happens to the penguins that go first. — Daniela Landherr, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English penguin great auk, perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing penguin

• Adélie penguin
• chinstrap penguin
• emperor penguin
• gentoo penguin
• king penguin
• macaroni penguin
• Magellanic penguin

Kids Definition

penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən 

ˈpeŋ-

: any of various short-legged seabirds of the southern hemisphere that cannot fly and have wings functioning as flippers and used in swimming