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

When mothers finally give birth, newborn pandas are extremely fragile. —Chris Lau, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025

The National Zoo: The zoo's new pandas are now on display, but families will find extra fun at a Lunar New Year party on Jan. 29 (12-2pm) and the District of Panda Day on Saturday with live music, panda trivia and more. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025

The zoo is hosting the District of Panda Party, a series of events celebrating the pandas' arrival. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Their activism helped prompt the national forestry bureau to improve standards for panda enclosures and ban people from paying to hug pandas. —Mara Hvistendahl, New York Times, 24 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

Rhymes for panda

• banda
• ganda
• vanda
• aranda
• miranda
• veranda
• verandah
• jacaranda
• memoranda
• propaganda

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