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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Amid the fight to win, riders will see favorite characters like Princess Peach and Toad as well as be surrounded by iconic piranha plants, according to a sneak peek video released of the ride. 
Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2022 In this animated film, a wolf, python, shark, piranha and tarantula set out to rehab their images and walk the straight and narrow instead. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022 Despite the hazards, the Pororoca is popular with surfers, who don’t mind sharing a wave with a caiman or a piranha. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2022 In reality, humans don't have to worry too much about death by piranha bite. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022 The folklore about the scary, razor-toothed piranha doesn’t accurately describe a pacu. Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2021 Rice is believed to be the first to develop fly fishing in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, including for many fierce species with piranha-like teeth that Rice taught locals how to catch. Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Sep. 2021 Tourists who make it to the remote region flock to the lake in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare pink dolphin or trying their hand at piranha fishing. Lucy Sherriff, CNN, 13 Aug. 2021 The piranha kept bumping, with audible thuds, into the glass walls of its prison. John Horgan, Scientific American, 24 July 2021 See More
Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2022 In this animated film, a wolf, python, shark, piranha and tarantula set out to rehab their images and walk the straight and narrow instead. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022 Despite the hazards, the Pororoca is popular with surfers, who don’t mind sharing a wave with a caiman or a piranha. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2022 In reality, humans don't have to worry too much about death by piranha bite. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 26 Jan. 2022 The folklore about the scary, razor-toothed piranha doesn’t accurately describe a pacu. Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2021 Rice is believed to be the first to develop fly fishing in the Okavango Delta in Botswana, including for many fierce species with piranha-like teeth that Rice taught locals how to catch. Tom Stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Sep. 2021 Tourists who make it to the remote region flock to the lake in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare pink dolphin or trying their hand at piranha fishing. Lucy Sherriff, CNN, 13 Aug. 2021 The piranha kept bumping, with audible thuds, into the glass walls of its prison. John Horgan, Scientific American, 24 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Portuguese, from Tupi pirã́ja, pirã́nʸa, from pirá fish + ã́ja, ã́nʸa tooth
First Known Use
1861, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
piranha
noun
pi·ra·nha pə-ˈrä-nə
: a small South American freshwater fish that has very sharp teeth, often occurs in groups, and may attack human beings and animals in the water