penguin

noun

pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən How to pronounce penguin (audio)
ˈpeŋ-
: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere

Examples of penguin 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.
Friends gathered for the last night of the low-key weekend bash dressed in animal onesies, with Harry and Meghan choosing penguins as a symbol of lifelong partnership. Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026 An altered Antarctic landscape could have significant impacts on its wildlife, from the microorganisms and algae that prop up the food chain – food for krill which, in turn, feed many of the region’s whales – to the penguins and seals that rely on sea ice for feeding and resting. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 May 2026 Insider tip Don’t miss the daily presentation highlighting African penguin conservation, or the nightly rooftop stargazing sessions complete with telescopes and optional astrophotography workshops. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026 The design also borrows another trick from penguins, water resistance. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for penguin

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English penguin great auk, perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of penguin was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penguin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penguin. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

penguin

noun
pen·​guin ˈpen-gwən How to pronounce penguin (audio)
ˈpeŋ-
: any of various short-legged seabirds of the southern hemisphere that cannot fly and have wings functioning as flippers and used in swimming

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