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

Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals Panda Family Kids and adults will love building and rebuilding this three-in-one set, which can be assembled into a panda bear eating bamboo with its cub, an orca swimming with its calf, and a penguin with its chick. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 24 May 2025

Three-year-old pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are set to remain in D.C. for 10 years – long enough to win the hearts and minds of millions of zoo visitors. —John M. Kinder, The Conversation, 1 May 2025

Gripe of the Week Bright red Hostas, deep blue strawberries, roses that glow magenta at night, orchids with cat and panda bear faces, ears of corn with tiny human ears. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

It is based inside the conglomerate’s headquarters in Phnom Penh, a glass and concrete building with two panda statues standing guard by the entrance. —Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 23 Mar. 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