Definition of penguin
: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere
- Trending Now: More Trending:
- probity sequacious inadmissible oligarch, pejorative emolument
- ALL
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Recent Examples of penguin from the Web
-
Once participants completed their part of the painting, one of Zoo Boise’s Magellanic penguins, Marie, arrived on the scene to add her finishing touches.
-
Plans also call for visiting Macquarie Island, a tiny sub-Antarctic isle that is home to millions of penguins, including king, rockhopper, gentoo and royal.
-
Kings are the second largest penguins, after emperors.
-
March amongst thousands of boisterous penguins, cruise in Zodiac boats past shimmering statues of blue ice, and sail alongside pods of graceful whales, all from the comfort of your own floating hotel, the expedition ship Hebridean Sky.
-
In this room, there are hints of both approaches: Just take the pairing of a traditional painting by John Dowd with a quirky, oversized penguin.
-
Who thinks that squeaky penguin could sound like that?
-
There would be severe declines of penguins and other die-offs of seabirds and seals.
-
If day camp isn't your thing, there are educational classes and guest speakers and a penguin habitat where the residents have names like Admiral Fancy Pants and Paddles.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'penguin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of penguin
obsolete English penguin great auk, perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)
PENGUIN Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of penguin for English Language Learners
-
: a black-and-white bird that cannot fly, that uses its wings for swimming, and that lives in or near the Antarctic
PENGUIN Defined for Kids
Definition of penguin for Students
: a short-legged seabird that cannot fly, uses its stiff wings for swimming, and is found in the colder regions of the southern hemisphere
Learn More about penguin
-
Spanish Central: Translation of penguin Nglish: Translation of penguin for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of penguin for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penguin
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up penguin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
