panda

noun pan·da \ ˈpan-də \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of panda

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

See panda defined for English-language learners

See panda defined for kids

Recent Examples of panda from the Web

Previously, China’s artificially bred pandas were released into the wild abruptly, and some did not survive.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "In 'Pandas' film, Drexel team helps release artificially bred bears into the wild," 5 June 2018
Researchers at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda confirmed that the panda was Zhenzhen, an 11-year-old female raised in captivity and recently released into the wild as part of a special breeding project.

— Fox News, "Panda takes excursion into town in southwestern China," 1 June 2018
The pic, which stars Will Arnett, centers on a police dog that must enter into a dog show competition in order to help solve a crime involving a baby panda.

— mia galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Show Dogs' to Be Edited Amid Backlash Against "Troubling" Abuse Scene," 23 May 2018
Max and Frank figure the baby panda is being sold on the exotic-animal black market, and where better to infiltrate that shadowy underworld than at the Canini dog show in Las Vegas, the world’s most exclusive canine competition?

— barbara vandenburgh, azcentral, "'Show Dogs' needs to be put down," 17 May 2018
Vitale snapped the picture, and then the panda disappeared.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "Why Photographing Pandas Is More Challenging Than You Might Think," 21 May 2018
The newest attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood will open June 15, starring an overweight panda and cutting-edge projection-mapping that places riders in the middle of an action-adventure yarn in China.

— hugo martin, latimes.com, "High-tech Kung Fu Panda attraction to replace Universal Studios' Shrek adventure," 17 Apr. 2018
A month later, two pandas will be on display in Finland, a diplomatic gift from China.

— richard martyn-hemphill, New York Times, "Finland’s President Elected to 2nd Term, Avoiding a Runoff," 28 Jan. 2018
These include the most iconic zoo animals—such as big cats, primates, and pandas.

— robin ganzert, Fortune, "Commentary: Want to Save the Earth? Start With Your Local Zoo.," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'panda.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of panda

Origin and Etymology of panda

French, perhaps from a language of the southeast Himalayas

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1834

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PANDA Defined for English Language Learners

panda

noun

Definition of panda for English Language Learners

: a large animal with black-and-white fur that looks like a bear, lives in China, and eats mostly bamboo shoots

PANDA Defined for Kids

panda

noun pan·da \ ˈpan-də \

Definition of panda for Students

1 : red panda

2 : a large black-and-white animal of central and western China that feeds mostly on the leaves and stems of the bamboo and is related to the bear

History for panda

A picture of a panda—the red panda rather than the panda of China—as well as the word panda itself first appeared in Europe in 1825. The French naturalist who published the picture, Frédéric Cuvier, did not tell us where he found the word, but it is assumed to be from a language of Nepal. When the panda of China first became known, it was thought to be a kind of bear. In 1901 scientists decided it was most closely related to the red panda and hence named it “giant panda.” Though the kinship between the two animals is now known to be much more distant, the name panda is still firmly attached to both animals.