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

For Sunnyvale’s Carla Klein, a close-up view of icebergs, penguins, seals and whales were among the highlights of a trip to Argentina and Antarctica earlier this year. —Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 15 June 2025

From spicy stories, inspired by a Chinese erotic novel, to buckets of very dry humor and even a blond penguin – the Baltics try to cover it all in new projects presented at Annecy. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025

The aquarium is home to whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, manta rays, beluga whales, sea otters and African penguins. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 8 June 2025

Critically endangered penguin chick hatches at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo When shopping at garden centers look for the Plant Select label. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 24 May 2025

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