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

While Hong Kong received its pandas as gifts, other cities have spent big bucks to have the highly watchable black and white bears. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 14 Feb. 2025

Because pandas, and traffic delays, were often pretty much it. —Denise Snodell, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2025

The two pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, made headlines after tumbling in the snow earlier this month following their arrival from China. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 24 Jan. 2025

The National Zoo and its pandas occupy a special place in Diaz’s heart. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 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

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