panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black-and-white mammal (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually classified with the bears (family Ursidae)

called also giant panda

Illustration of panda

• A red panda
• B panda 2

Examples of panda in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the interim, the zoo spent $6 million upgrading the pandas’ living quarters and the space where they can be seen by visitors. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Zoo Atlanta's original agreement with China lasted 25 years and resulted in seven panda cubs being born at the zoo. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Panels also featured decorations that included hearts, rainbows, sequins, a Star of David, a chef’s hat, a chorus line of dancers, teddy bears, and a panda. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026

The loan of the pandas was one of the few concrete outcomes to come out of the state visit, which saw expressions of goodwill between the leaders, but no fixes to any of the long-standing differences between the two countries. — Huizhong Wu, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, perhaps from a language of the southeast Himalayas

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing panda

• giant panda
• lesser panda
• panda car
• red panda
• trash panda

Rhymes for panda

• banda
• ganda
• vanda
• aranda
• miranda
• veranda
• verandah
• jacaranda
• memoranda
• propaganda

Kids Definition

panda

noun

pan·​da ˈpan-də 

1

: red panda

2

: a large black and white mammal of chiefly central China that feeds primarily on bamboo shoots and is now usually considered to be closely related to the bears

called also giant panda