pangolin

noun

pan·​go·​lin ˈpaŋ-gə-lən How to pronounce pangolin (audio)
ˈpan-
: any of a family (Manidae of the order Pholidota) of Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered dorsally with large imbricated horny scales

called also scaly anteater

Illustration of pangolin

Illustration of pangolin

Examples of pangolin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, the nonprofit is also using the cat-size rodents to smell their way through the crafty disguises employed by wildlife traffickers looking to smuggle ivory, pangolin scales and rhino horns. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 According to the paper, 8 of the 11 rats were able to identify pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and African blackwood among 146 non-target substances. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 The triggering scents included pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and African blackwood, all of which are smuggled and all of which are considered in danger of extinction. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2024 The target odors were pangolin scales, rhino horns, elephant tusks and African blackwood, a tree that is often used to make musical instruments. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pangolin 

Word History

Etymology

Malay dialect pĕngguling

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pangolin was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near pangolin

Cite this Entry

“Pangolin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pangolin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pangolin

noun
pan·​go·​lin ˈpaŋ-gə-lən How to pronounce pangolin (audio)
ˈpan-
: any of several Asian and African toothless mammals having the body covered with large overlapping horny scales

More from Merriam-Webster on pangolin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!