panga

American  

[pahng-guh] / ˈpɑŋ gə /

noun

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

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panga British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of panga

Borrowed into English from Swahili around 1930–35

Example Sentences

Wagley coordinated the agency’s response to the abandoned panga boat on April 17 and called the medical examiner to retrieve the body.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2021

Tour operators lead panga boat tours, but book early: The Mexican government limits the number of boats and passengers in the protected areas.

From Washington Post • Oct. 24, 2019

Once, I saw my male English teacher wielding a panga, or African machete.

From Time • Aug. 31, 2016

When a false killer whale speeds toward Hirsh’s panga, stops inches short and sings, is it trying to communicate?

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2013

But she couldn’t bring herself to leave the panga behind.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer