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

Expect a machete master class, fishing techniques, and jungle cooking that includes the aforementioned piranha and caiman. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2025

Fittingly, at the foot of the tree, the roots are immersed in a huge tank teaming with piranha fish. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

In both seasons, multiple scenes depict violence (think piranha attacks and monster fight scenes), gore and murder. —Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

At the start of the series, viewers watch Wednesday pour two bags of piranha in the Nancy Reagan High School swimming pool to send a message to one of the swimmers, Dalton, who bullied her younger brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) by shutting him in a locker, tied up, with an apple in his mouth. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025

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