macaroni penguin

noun

: a small penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) that has an orange, yellow, and black crest on the head and a black chin and that breeds on subantarctic islands

Examples of macaroni penguin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There is also a saltwater Ocean Journey exhibit, an IMAX 3D theater, and... a few macaroni penguins. Jacob Linden, Redbook, 17 Aug. 2023 Whoever named the macaroni penguin was not thinking of dinner, but the name is unfortunately apt. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2014 The Kansas City Zoo is now home for eight fluffy new macaroni penguin chicks. USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2019 This process takes 16 days, and female macaroni penguins will lay their eggs just seven to 14 days after finally making landfall again. National Geographic, 4 Oct. 2016 The island is also home to 180,000 macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus). Aaron Sidder, National Geographic, 6 July 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'macaroni penguin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from the resemblance of the penguin's crest to headgear supposedly worn by macaronis

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of macaroni penguin was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near macaroni penguin

Cite this Entry

“Macaroni penguin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/macaroni%20penguin. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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