penguin

noun pen·guin \ˈpen-gwən, ˈpeŋ-\

: a black-and-white bird that cannot fly, that uses its wings for swimming, and that lives in or near the Antarctic

Full Definition of PENGUIN

: any of various erect short-legged flightless aquatic birds (family Spheniscidae) of the southern hemisphere

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obsolete English penguin great auk, perhaps from Welsh pen gwyn white head (applied to the bird in winter plumage)

First Known Use: 1588

PENGUIN Defined for Kids

noun pen·guin \ˈpen-gwən, ˈpeŋ-\

: a short-legged seabird that cannot fly, uses its stiff wings for swimming, and is found in the colder regions of the southern hemisphere

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