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'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.