First recorded in 1775–85; from French pékin; after Peking
First recorded in 1880–85; after Peking
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 MacDonald, George
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 Thackeray, William Makepeace
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 Weir, James
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
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
At Pekin Community High School near Peoria, police issued 62 tickets totaling more than $10,000 before Halloween.
From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2022
—Nicholas discovers a Conspiracy, and makes an unpleasant Entry into Pekin 114 XVI.
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 Dalton, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
