penguin

American  

[peng-gwin, pen-] / ˈpɛŋ gwɪn, ˈpɛn- /

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.

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penguin British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of penguin

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

Example Sentences

She said she had done about 20 windows with scenes including The Snowman, The Grinch, penguins and elves.

From BBC

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

From Science Daily

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

From 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.

From 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.

From Science Daily