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
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In addition, traffickers were often found to be smuggling sea horses alongside other products, like pangolin scales and elephant ivory. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025 Today Gabon’s jungles are a stronghold for forest elephants, along with mandrills, chimpanzees, gorillas, and endangered giant pangolins. Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025 From the snow leopard to the pangolin, there are many animals that evade human contact. Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2025 According to Poaching Facts, China and Vietnam are the largest buyers of pangolin scales and meat estimated through how many pangolins were seized in any country. Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pangolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pangolin. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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

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