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• pekin
  pekin

  noun

  a silk fabric in which broad stripes of equal width and in various colors or weaves are alternated.
• Pekin
  Pekin

  noun

  one of a hardy breed of yellowish-white domestic ducks, raised originally in China.

pekin

¹ American  

[pee-kin] / ˈpiˈkɪn /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. a silk fabric in which broad stripes of equal width and in various colors or weaves are alternated.

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Pekin ² American  

[pee-kin] / ˈpiˈkɪn /

noun

1. one of a hardy breed of yellowish-white domestic ducks, raised originally in China.

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Pekin ³ American  

[pee-kin] / ˈpi kɪn /

noun

1. a city in central Illinois.

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Pekin British  

/ piːˈkɪn /

noun

1. a breed of white or cream duck with a bright orange bill

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Etymology

Origin of pekin¹

First recorded in 1775–85; from French pékin; after Peking

Origin of Pekin²

First recorded in 1880–85; after Peking

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pekin Pekin

Her childhood was marked by a prophecy, proclaimed to her in Liberian English: “Ma, de pekin wa’na easy oh.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 9, 2017

She cannot say it shust pe vorts, or tat tere pe much of ta sense in it; but it pe fery like what ta pabes will say pefore tey pekin to speak it properly.

From Malcolm by George MacDonald

One of the queerest friendships that ever came under my observation was that which existed between a bantam cock and a pekin drake.

From The Dawn of Reason or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals by James Weir

He was, perhaps, discontented at being put in communication with a pekin, and thought that Lord Steyne should have sent him a Colonel at the very least.

From Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Tora Pekin, one of Imamoglu's lawyers, said a summary of the indictment would be read out at Monday's hearing.

From Barron's ● Mar. 9, 2026

Pekin duck is the most widely available variety in the United States, and smaller than the bird Daisy was working with.

From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2025

With their four-year-old child, they headed from the camp where they'd taken refuge to their village, Pekin Coco.

From BBC ● Apr. 27, 2025

Inside the stroller was the center of attention: a Pekin duck known as Cardi D.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2022

"Even worse, O dear princess, for while the imperial storehouses are groaning with grain, thousands of people are dying of starvation within the walls of Pekin," replied Candida.

From The War Tiger Or, Adventures and Wonderful Fortunes of the Young Sea Chief and His Lad Chow: A Tale of the Conquest of China by William Dalton