panda
panda Lexical Profile
panda Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large bear native to the mountainous regions of central China, distinguished by its distinctive black-and-white coat and a diet consisting almost entirely of bamboo.
"The conservation center successfully bred several pandas to help preserve the vulnerable species and release them into the wild."
A small, tree-dwelling mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, featuring a reddish-brown coat and a long, bushy tail.
"While trekking through the Himalayan forests, the biology students were thrilled to spot a rare red panda resting on a branch."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday usage, 'panda' almost universally refers to the giant panda (a true bear), though it originally referred to the unrelated red panda, a smaller, tree-dwelling mammal.
• Rhymes for panda
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed into English in the 19th century via French, likely originating from the Nepali word 'ponya', which translates roughly to 'bamboo eater'.