piranha

noun

pi·​ra·​nha pə-ˈrä-nə 

-ˈrän-yə,

-ˈran- 

plural piranhas or piranha

: any of various usually small South American characin fishes (genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus) that have very sharp teeth, often appear in schools, and include some that may attack and inflict dangerous wounds upon humans and large animals

called also caribe

Examples of piranha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Back at camp, Mary’s plan to get Joe out is out the window, and the burgeoning piranha coalition turns against each other. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 1 May 2025

The smaller fish circling around you may not seem like much of a threat, but at least one of them could turn into a piranha and start eating you. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2025

The pacu is a South American freshwater fish that's related to piranha but has key differences. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Aug. 2024

Bradford Dillman and Maggie McKeown are the leads while Kevin McCarthy is the government scientist who created a strain of deadly piranha. —Clark Collis, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi pirã́ja, pirã́nʸa, from pirá fish + ã́ja, ã́nʸa tooth

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for piranha

• ipecacuanha

Kids Definition

piranha

noun

pi·​ra·​nha pə-ˈran-yə  -ˈrän-(y)ə 

: any of various usually small flesh-eating South American freshwater fishes that have very sharp teeth, often occur in groups, and include some that may attack human beings and animals in the water