pangolin

noun

pan·​go·​lin ˈpaŋ-gə-lən How to pronounce pangolin (audio)
ˈpan-
: any of a family (Manidae of the order Pholidota) of Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered dorsally with large imbricated horny scales

called also scaly anteater

Illustration of pangolin

Illustration of pangolin

Examples of pangolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the zoo’s primary focuses is the pangolin, the world’s most trafficked mammal. — Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026 That data can then be used to stop poachers in different regions, and help efforts to re-introduce pangolins to their correct regions. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 July 2026 The Mandai spa is no different in that respect, but nowhere else are the treatment rooms designed in honor of the humble pangolin, scaled and hunkered down against the chaos of the jungle. — Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2026 Like Temminck’s pangolin or coequal branches of government, retirement is in danger of going extinct. — Joshua Rivera, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pangolin

Word History

Etymology

Malay dialect pĕngguling

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pangolin was in 1774

Rhymes for pangolin

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Browse Nearby Words

pangola grass
pangolin
pangram
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Cite this Entry

“Pangolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pangolin. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pangolin

noun
pan·​go·​lin ˈpaŋ-gə-lən How to pronounce pangolin (audio)
ˈpan-
: any of several Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered with large overlapping horny scales

More from Merriam-Webster on pangolin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pangolin

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