Definition of 'penguin'

COBUILD frequency band

penguin

(peŋgwɪn

)

Word forms: plural penguins

countable noun B1+

A penguin is a type of large black and white sea bird found mainly in the Antarctic. Penguins cannot fly but use their short wings for swimming.

Male penguins starve protecting their eggs.

Image of
penguin

penguin in British English

(ˈpɛŋɡwɪn

)

noun

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

penguin in American English

(ˈpɛŋɡwɪn , ˈpɛnɡwɪn )

nounOrigin: prob. < Welsh pen gwyn, lit., white head (or Bret pen gouin): ? in reference to a white headland on a N Atlantic island, near which they were found

1. former name for great auk

any of an order (Sphenisciformes) of flightless birds found in the Southern Hemisphere, having webbed feet and paddlelike flippers for swimming and diving

COBUILD frequency band

penguin in American English

(ˈpeŋɡwɪn, ˈpen-)

noun

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

2. obsolete See great auk

Word origin

[1570–80; orig. uncert.; perh. ‹ Welsh pen gwyn lit., white head (referring to the great auk in its winter plumage); later misapplied to the Spheniscidae]

Examples of 'penguin' in a sentence
penguin

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This would have disturbed marine ecosystems and blocked feeding paths for penguins and seals.But the yellow penguin swam to shore just in front of us.It is home to large colonies of elephant seals, penguins and other sea birds.We saw countless penguins, enormous seals, all kinds of unusual birds.The final collection of paintings details the decline of penguins, polar bears, wolves and birds.We plant lavender around the enclosure and the penguins use that to build their nests. Fur seals and penguins are most at risk due to dwindling food supplies. Beautifully photographed film about a colony of emperor penguins.If it had, the emperor penguin would surely have been worshipped.That's because penguin diets contain a lot of krill and fish, both of which are rich in nitrogen.

Word lists with
penguin

bird

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Which bird am I?

any bird of the family Cuculidae, having pointed wings, a long tail, and zygodactyl feet: order Cuculiformes. Many species, including the European cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and have a two-note call

bee eater cuckoo stork

Which bird am I?

a small Australian flower-pecker, Dicaeum hirundinaceum, that feeds on mistletoe berries

budgerigar mistle thrush mistletoe bird

Which bird am I?

a common Eurasian shrike, Lanius collurio, the male of which has a grey crown and rump, brown wings and back, and a black-and-white face

bullfinch jay red-backed shrike

Which bird am I?

any small tropical brightly coloured bird of the family Capitonidae, having short weak wings and a sharp stout bill with tuftlike feathers at its base: order Piciformes (woodpeckers, etc)

barbet bee eater honey guide

Which bird am I?

a large Eurasian pigeon, Columba palumbus, having white patches on the wings and neck

nighthawk stork wood pigeon

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