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.
Murres resemble penguins with dense, waterproof feathers that look like a tuxedo and function like a wetsuit — trapping a layer of air against their skin to keep them warm and dry, Boland said. — Stephanie Zappelli, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Feathers McGraw, the sinister penguin villain from the Wallace & Gromit films, also makes a Hitchcockian cameo. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifier, starts near Pickles Pub outside Camden Yards, loops through the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill and Fells Point and passes the penguin exhibit at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. — Vivian Yao, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026 The format also has some whimsical touches including a life-size Santa and dancing penguins. — David Moin, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 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

Phrases Containing penguin

Browse Nearby Words

pengö
penguin
penguin duck
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penguin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penguin. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on penguin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about penguin

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