panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black-and-white mammal (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually classified with the bears (family Ursidae)

called also giant panda

Illustration of panda

• A red panda
• B panda 2

Examples of panda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There was no agreement in place at the time for a new set of pandas to head to D.C., and Atlanta was left as the only zoo in the country housing any pandas. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025

The trio’s departure left Washington without pandas for the first time in 23 years. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025

Jill Biden, an advocate for the panda diplomacy, dressed in a panda costume for Halloween. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 19 Jan. 2025

The return of the two pandas to the National Zoo was met with much excitement. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, perhaps from a language of the southeast Himalayas

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing panda

• giant panda
• lesser panda
• panda car
• red panda

Kids Definition

panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black and white mammal of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually considered to be closely related to the bears

called also giant panda