penguin
noun
pen·guin ˈpen-gwən 
ˈpeŋ-
: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The Cincinnati Zoo named the penguin after Burrow during his Super Bowl run. 
Jolene Latimer, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 Joe Burrow is old enough to join the rest of the zoo's penguins, the little blue penguin will be marked with orange and black ID bands. Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE.com, 10 Feb. 2022 The fossil evidence is important since about three-quarters of penguin species are extinct. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 July 2022 Little blue penguins, a flightless bird native to New Zealand, are the world’s smallest penguin species. Dylan Butts, NBC News, 17 June 2022 SeaTREK underwater walking, penguin interactions, behind-the-scenes shark tours and Q&A sessions with animal care specialists. Amaris Encinas, The Arizona Republic, 17 June 2022 So far, penguin deaths have been reported in the country's North Island -- where cases have happened in the past -- and none have been flagged in the South Island. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 16 June 2022 Researchers came to their conclusion by analyzing prehistoric seashells and penguin bones on arctic beaches through radiocarbon dating. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 15 June 2022 The world’s smallest penguin species — called little blue penguins, fairy penguins or kororā — are about a foot tall and weigh about two pounds. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 14 June 2022 See More
Jolene Latimer, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2022 Joe Burrow is old enough to join the rest of the zoo's penguins, the little blue penguin will be marked with orange and black ID bands. Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE.com, 10 Feb. 2022 The fossil evidence is important since about three-quarters of penguin species are extinct. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 July 2022 Little blue penguins, a flightless bird native to New Zealand, are the world’s smallest penguin species. Dylan Butts, NBC News, 17 June 2022 SeaTREK underwater walking, penguin interactions, behind-the-scenes shark tours and Q&A sessions with animal care specialists. Amaris Encinas, The Arizona Republic, 17 June 2022 So far, penguin deaths have been reported in the country's North Island -- where cases have happened in the past -- and none have been flagged in the South Island. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 16 June 2022 Researchers came to their conclusion by analyzing prehistoric seashells and penguin bones on arctic beaches through radiocarbon dating. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 15 June 2022 The world’s smallest penguin species — called little blue penguins, fairy penguins or kororā — are about a foot tall and weigh about two pounds. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 14 June 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing penguin
Kids Definition
penguin
noun
pen·guin ˈpen-gwən
ˈpeŋ-
: a short-legged seabird that cannot fly, uses its stiff wings for swimming, and is found in the colder regions of the southern hemisphere