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

African penguins are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to food shortages and overfishing of their habitats. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 31 July 2026

The islands are home to endemic species including giant tortoises, marine iguanas and Galápagos penguins, with more biodiversity details available online. — Ashley Lynch july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

The islands, which lie 480 kilometers (300 miles) off Argentina’s coast, are home to some 3,600 people, roughly 450,000 sheep and over 1 million penguins, according to government figures. — ABC News, 31 July 2026

Those samples contained evidence of what the penguins were eating over time. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 30 July 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