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Definition of "penguin" []

  • Any of various stout flightless marine birds of the family Spheniscidae, of cool regions of the Southern Hemisphere, having flipperlike wings and webbed feet adapted for swimming and diving, and short scalelike feathers that are white in front and black on the back. (noun)
  • Obsolete The great auk. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "penguin" in a sentence
  • "Second to the penguin is the kelp gull Larus dominicanus with 6,000 active nests."
  • "Mario Bros., including Mario in penguin suit, amigurumi by Mindy, who has various items on sale at Etsy."
  • "Berkeley Breathed explains how a certain penguin was able to deflect criticism and controversy."