penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən 

ˈpeŋ-

: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere

Examples of penguin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A-List advisor Ashton Palmer, who has visited Antarctica 50 times, points out that, while most trips take place between November and March, the best time to see penguin chicks is between mid-December and mid-January. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026

The Red List of Threatened Species, which was updated by the IUCN on Thursday, now includes the Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal on its endangered list. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

The emperor penguin is the largest of all penguin species, reaching upwards of 3 feet in height and 100 pounds in weight. —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026

Satellite images indicate a loss of around 10% of the population between 2009 and 2018 alone, equating to more than 20,000 adult penguins, the IUCN stated. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English penguin great auk, perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing penguin

• Adélie penguin
• chinstrap penguin
• emperor penguin
• gentoo penguin
• king penguin
• macaroni penguin
• Magellanic penguin

Kids Definition

penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən 

ˈpeŋ-

: any of various short-legged seabirds of the southern hemisphere that cannot fly and have wings functioning as flippers and used in swimming