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

About 25 years ago, 126 pandas lived in captivity, and today there are more than 700. —Andrew Keatts, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

Bao Li and Qing Boa will be quarantined in the panda habitat for a minimum of 30 days. —T. Michelle Murphy, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2024

In fact, pandas at the National Zoo have never successfully mated naturally; all panda births have been the result of artificial insemination, according to the zoo. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

Since 1972, the U.S. and China have engaged in panda diplomacy. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Oct. 2024

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