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

But there are others, like gentle parenting, free-range parenting, slow parenting, and even panda parenting. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 26 Aug. 2025

Rushing into action without thinking can lead to misfires—like our panda pulling a gun instead of chewing bamboo. —Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

The birthday edition coincides with a monthlong celebration across Hong Kong aimed at panda fans and visitors. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 28 July 2025

Trash pandas and jumbo shrimp Unusual team professional names recently chosen include the Seattle Kraken in the National Hockey League and the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. —John Tuohy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

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

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