noun
Uncommon
panda
PUHN-duh
Panda (noun) means a large black-and-white bear native to China that feeds almost entirely on bamboo. Example: “The zoo's new panda spent most of the day eating bamboo.”
noun
1
A large black-and-white bear native to China that feeds almost entirely on bamboo.
"The zoo's new panda spent most of the day eating bamboo."
"Giant pandas are a conservation success story in China."
"The children cheered when the panda rolled down the grassy slope."
How to use panda
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe black-and-white bear famous for eating bamboo and being a symbol of conservation.
Common pairings
giant panda
panda cub
panda reserve
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Word forms
- Plural
- pandas
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The zoo's new _____ spent most of the day eating bamboo.
Etymology
Borrowed into English in the 19th century, likely via French from a Nepali or related Himalayan word originally used for the red panda, later extended to the more famous giant panda.
Class of 1800
panda joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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giant panda
bamboo bear
Rhymes for panda
See all rhymes for panda →Frequently asked questions
What does “panda” mean?
The word “panda” means a large black-and-white bear native to China that feeds almost entirely on bamboo. In plain terms, the black-and-white bear famous for eating bamboo and being a symbol of conservation.
How do you pronounce “panda”?
“Panda” is pronounced PUHN-duh (/ˈpɑndə/ in IPA).
How do you use “panda” in a sentence?
Here is “panda” used in a sentence: “The zoo's new panda spent most of the day eating bamboo.”
What part of speech is “panda”?
“Panda” is a noun.
Where does the word “panda” come from?
The word “panda” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. Borrowed into English in the 19th century, likely via French from a Nepali or related Himalayan word originally used for the red panda, later extended to the more famous giant panda.
Is “panda” a common word?
“Panda” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "panda" and a "red panda"?
A panda, or giant panda, is a large black-and-white bear native to China that feeds almost entirely on bamboo. A red panda is a smaller, distinct animal with reddish-brown fur that is not closely related to bears in the same way, despite sharing part of the name and a bamboo diet.
Is a panda actually a type of bear?
Yes, the giant panda is classified as a bear, distinguished by its black-and-white coloring and its diet, which consists almost entirely of bamboo. This is unusual among bears, which are typically more broadly omnivorous.
Why are pandas so closely associated with China?
Pandas are native to China, where they live in specific mountainous, bamboo-forest regions. Their limited natural habitat and specialized bamboo diet make them closely identified with the country.
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