Illustration of red panda
red panda
noun
: a small, largely arboreal mammal (Ailurus fulgens of the family Ailuridae) that resembles the American raccoon, that is found from the Himalayas to China, and that has long rusty or chestnut fur with dark underparts, a long bushy tail with rings, and a white face and inner ears with a dark stripe from the corners of the eyes to the lower jaw
called also lesser panda
Note: The red panda feeds mostly on bamboo, roots, grass, leaves, fruit, acorns, eggs, insects, and small animals (such as birds). It was formerly considered a relative of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) but is now considered more closely related to the raccoons, skunks, and weasels.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan, helped its 8-year-old red panda, Maliha, deliver her precious cub in late July. 
Fox News, 11 Aug. 2022 The new Pixar film, streaming on Disney+, tells the story of 13-year-old Meilin Lee, who transforms into a giant, fluffy red panda whenever she is overcome with emotions. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 16 Mar. 2022 At 13, Mei discovers a welter of new emotions — rage, acute embarrassment, lust — that cause her unexpected transformation into a big fluffy red panda. Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2022 Flavors include a red panda swirl (a red velvet ice cream mixed with handmade cheesecake frosting) that’s exclusive to the zoo. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 This spring, fans also can find Cloud Ninth at Hogle Zoo in the Cat Wok Cafe, next to the red panda exhibit. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 Throughout the film, Mei navigates the awkwardness, excitement and embarrassment that come with changing hormone levels and manifest in her body as a red panda. CNN, 10 Mar. 2022 Pixar brings us the first Disney movie of 2022, and the concept is wild: A 13-year-old named Mei Lee turns into a giant red panda every time her emotions get out of control. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022 Mei wakes in the morning and sees not her own sweet, bespectacled face in the bathroom mirror but a towering red panda. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2022 See More
Fox News, 11 Aug. 2022 The new Pixar film, streaming on Disney+, tells the story of 13-year-old Meilin Lee, who transforms into a giant, fluffy red panda whenever she is overcome with emotions. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 16 Mar. 2022 At 13, Mei discovers a welter of new emotions — rage, acute embarrassment, lust — that cause her unexpected transformation into a big fluffy red panda. Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2022 Flavors include a red panda swirl (a red velvet ice cream mixed with handmade cheesecake frosting) that’s exclusive to the zoo. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 This spring, fans also can find Cloud Ninth at Hogle Zoo in the Cat Wok Cafe, next to the red panda exhibit. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 June 2022 Throughout the film, Mei navigates the awkwardness, excitement and embarrassment that come with changing hormone levels and manifest in her body as a red panda. CNN, 10 Mar. 2022 Pixar brings us the first Disney movie of 2022, and the concept is wild: A 13-year-old named Mei Lee turns into a giant red panda every time her emotions get out of control. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022 Mei wakes in the morning and sees not her own sweet, bespectacled face in the bathroom mirror but a towering red panda. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1955, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
red panda
noun
: a long-tailed animal that is related to and resembles the raccoon, has long reddish brown fur, and is found from the Himalayas to southern China