piñata

noun pi·ña·ta \ pēn-ˈyä-tə , pin- \

variants: or pinata

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of piñata

: a decorated vessel (such as of papier-mâché) filled with candies, fruits, and gifts and hung up to be broken with sticks by blindfolded persons as part of especially Latin American festivities (as at Christmas or for a birthday party)

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Recent Examples of piñata from the Web

Poon dropped to her knees to snap a photo of him standing in front of the pinata.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "Glaciers and a birthday party: What it’s like to be a famous Alaska Instagram dog," 1 Mar. 2018
Later, after the barking had died down, Poon sprayed whipped cream on the pinata so the dogs would come up and lick it.

— devin kelly, Anchorage Daily News, "Glaciers and a birthday party: What it’s like to be a famous Alaska Instagram dog," 1 Mar. 2018
Texas takes part in this nine-day Christmas celebration of Spanish origin that includes pinatas, reenactments and carols.

— kelli bender, PEOPLE.com, "Christmas Across America: A Unique Way to Celebrate the Holidays in Each State," 25 Dec. 2017
Inside, pinatas, candles and string lights will hang over murals created by a Chicago graffiti artist.

— amy bartner, Indianapolis Star, "Why is the new taco bar opening Downtown called 'Broken English'?," 10 Oct. 2017
There will be performances from the all-female Mariachi group Las Colibri and the hip hop crew Antics, plus pinata making, cooking demos, virtual reality experiences, and more all along the route.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "The 5 Best Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend," 28 Sep. 2017
Long a crimson pinata for the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs became too good for the San Diego Chargers and many other AFC teams soon after talent man John Dorsey alighted on City of the Plains and partnered with new coach Andy Reid.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "AFC West shocker: Chiefs and John Dorsey part ways," 22 June 2017
Now, the sophomore album from his band Bleachers, by scattering enormous pinatas created in his likeness around New York City, each hiding a USB drive containing songs from the group's second album.

— tatiana cirisano, Billboard, "iHeart Radio Album Release Party with Bleachers' Jack Antonoff: Recap," 2 June 2017
And be on the lookout for the pinata-ish Sky Kite that will drop candy during the day.

— jen banowetz, Naperville Sun, "Go fly a kite at Naperville event," 29 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'piñata.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of piñata

Origin and Etymology of piñata

Spanish piñata, literally, pot, from Italian pignatta, probably from pigna pine cone — more at pignoli

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First Known Use: 1868

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PIÑATA Defined for English Language Learners

piñata

noun

Definition of piñata for English Language Learners

: a decorated container filled with candies, fruits, and gifts that is hung up at parties or celebrations and hit with a stick by children until it is broken and the things inside it fall out