Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bunya bunya

noun
bun·​ya bun·​ya | \ ¦bənyə¦bənyə\
variants: or bunya or bunya pine
plural -s

Definition of bunya bunya

: an Australian coniferous tree (Araucaria bidwillii) bearing seeds about two inches long which have the flavor of roasted chestnuts when ripe and are a staple food of the aborigines among whom the tree is hereditary property and is protected by law

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for bunya bunya

Australian bunya bunya, bunya, perhaps from bunya shade

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bunya bunya

Share bunya bunya

Statistics for bunya bunya

Look-up Popularity

Comments on bunya bunya

What made you want to look up bunya bunya? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

imbroglio

a complex dispute or argument

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games