penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən How to pronounce penguin (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bluster, the flip-flopping, the tariffs slapped on islands inhabited only by penguins — these are all moments. Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The 10% tariffs apply to goods from nations including Great Britain, Colombia and Australia (and by proxy, a chain of the country’s territorial islands inhabited by no people – but plenty of penguins). Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025 There’s no denying it: Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are adorable. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Standing more than 4 feet tall, the massive bird is the largest penguin in the world, uniquely adapted to survive in the barren Antarctic. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penguin

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of penguin was in 1577

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Cite this Entry

“Penguin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penguin. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

penguin

noun
pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən How to pronounce penguin (audio)
ˈpeŋ-
: any of various short-legged seabirds of the southern hemisphere that cannot fly and have wings functioning as flippers and used in swimming

More from Merriam-Webster on penguin

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