panga

[ pahng-guh ]

noun

1. a large, broad-bladed African knife used as a weapon or as an implement for cutting heavy jungle growth, sugarcane, etc.; machete.

panga

/ ˈpæŋɡə /

noun

1. a broad heavy knife of E Africa, used as a tool or weapon
2. a small fishing boat first developed in Japan and now used chiefly in US and Central American waters

Word History and Origins

Origin of panga¹

Borrowed into English from Swahili around 1930–35

Word History and Origins

Origin of panga¹

from a native E African word. The panga boat is so called because it resembles the knife in shape

Example Sentences

The Panga ya Saidi burial is a major breakthrough for understanding how early populations in Africa treated their dead, allowing us to start situating these behaviors alongside what we know about how culture developed in other regions.

From Singularity Hub 

Every porter had a red blanket, and practically every one wore a panga.

From Project Gutenberg

The only provocation we suffered was from the attacks of the tsetse, or panga (sword) fly, which swarmed here.

From Project Gutenberg

The officers, including the Commander, also waited stiffly at attention while the fisherman tied his panga to the ship's ladder.

From Project Gutenberg

Rhododendron minus recommenced after leaving the river towards Panga, a straggling cedar or two occurred, Populus rotundifol.

From Project Gutenberg

Cham na cham mig tu panga auc onan moquiz cham to gai ha cua che nag omreina li vi hiche ca noc yb heg g y vi au qui g topanga.

From Project Gutenberg