penguin

[peng-gwin, pen-]

noun

Ornithology.

1. any of several flightless, aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae, of the Southern Hemisphere, having webbed feet and wings reduced to flippers.

2. Obsolete.,  great auk.

penguin

/ ˈpɛŋɡwɪn /

noun

1. any flightless marine bird, such as Aptenodytes patagonica (king penguin) and Pygoscelis adeliae ( Adélie penguin ), of the order Sphenisciformes of cool southern, esp Antarctic, regions: they have wings modified as flippers, webbed feet, and feathers lacking barbs See also emperor penguin king penguin

2. an obsolete name for great auk

Word History and Origins

Origin of penguin¹

1570–80; origin uncertain; perhaps < Welsh pen gwyn literally, white head (referring to the great auk in its winter plumage); later misapplied to the Spheniscidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of penguin¹

C16: perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn, from pen head + gwyn white

Example Sentences

African penguin numbers have dropped by nearly 80% over the past thirty years.

Read more on Science Daily

Professor England warned that emperor penguin populations are facing greater extinction risks because their chicks depend on stable sea ice to mature.

Read more on Science Daily

The duo will be far from any human or even animal life, with Antarctica's penguins, whales, birds and seals concentrated on the coast.

Read more on Barron's

Safeguarding this region would help preserve not only its iconic wildlife, such as penguins and seals, but also the hidden nurseries that sustain the Antarctic food web.

Read more on Science Daily

During his time in New Zealand, he kidnapped a penguin and kept it in his bathtub, only to send it back when the president of Otago United warned him he could face deportation if caught.

Read more on BBC