piranha

[ pi-rahn-yuh, -ran-or, often, -rah-nuh, -ran-uh ]

noun

, plural pi·ra·nhas, (especially collectively) pi·ra·nha.

1. any of several small South American freshwater fishes of the genus Serrasalmus that eat other fish and sometimes plants but occasionally also attack humans and other large animals that enter the water.

piranha

/ pɪˈrɑːnjə /

noun

1. any of various small freshwater voracious fishes of the genus Serrasalmus and related genera, of tropical America, having strong jaws and sharp teeth: family Characidae (characins)

Word History and Origins

Origin of piranha¹

1865–70; < Portuguese < Tupi

Word History and Origins

Origin of piranha¹

C19: via Portuguese from Tupi: fish with teeth, from pirá fish + sainha tooth

Example Sentences

Ash said he and the team bathed in the river at night with electric eel, caiman, sting rays, giant river otters and piranha.

From BBC

After the puppeteer operated the piranhas in the shot, Blundell and her team would “run in and just make them look a little bit shiny.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was the ninth Banksy to appear in as many days in London and follows images of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas and a rhinoceros.

From BBC

The City of London Corporation said the other painted on 11 August - swimming piranhas on a City of London Police sentry box - had been taken to Guildhall Yard so it could be viewed safely.

From BBC

The public then flooded to see the swimming piranhas, which appeared on the side of a City of London Police sentry box.

From BBC