pangolin

noun pan·go·lin \ ˈpaŋ-gə-lən , ˈpan- \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of pangolin

: any of a family (Manidae of the order Pholidota) of Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered dorsally with large imbricated horny scales — called also scaly anteater

See pangolin defined for kids

Recent Examples of pangolin from the Web

There are three different species of anteater: the aardvark, the giant anteater and the pangolin.

— zoe sayler, Smithsonian, "What Aardvark Milk Reveals about the Evolution of Lactation," 21 Mar. 2018
One of the world’s most trafficked animals is the pangolin — for its meat and its scales, which are used for medicine.

— diane daniel, BostonGlobe.com, "How tourists can help prevent wildlife trafficking and poaching," 20 Mar. 2018
The pangolin, a mammal sometimes confused with the armadillo, has become one of the most trafficked animals.

— dionne searcey, New York Times, "Ivory Coast Arrests Six in Ring That Smuggled Parts of Elephants, Leopards and Pangolins," 25 Jan. 2018
The loot also contained a half of a ton of pangolin scales.

— dionne searcey, New York Times, "Ivory Coast Arrests Six in Ring That Smuggled Parts of Elephants, Leopards and Pangolins," 25 Jan. 2018
Rhinoceros horns, pangolin scales, turtles, and other exotic wildlife are still repeatedly smuggled through Thailand.

— tassanee vejpongsa, The Seattle Times, "Thai police arrest suspected kingpin of wildlife trafficking," 19 Jan. 2018
That’s allowed traffickers to flourish — using crypto-currency markets to make illicit bulk trades, or stockpiling durable animal parts like pangolin scales or elephant tusks in an attempt to corner the market.

— Washington Post, "To fight wildlife crime, experts say ‘follow the money’," 17 Sep. 2017
Eventually, a pangolin at a zoo in Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania’s former capital, died.

— karin brulliard, Washington Post, "These heroic rats detect land mines. Now they might help save an endangered anteater.," 21 Dec. 2017
Four of the 101 pangolins seized from the fishing boat later died.

— rachael bale, National Geographic, "Watch: 101 Pangolins Destined for Black Market Rescued from Fishing Boat," 26 Oct. 2017

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