panga
Americannoun
noun
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a broad heavy knife of E Africa, used as a tool or weapon
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a small fishing boat first developed in Japan and now used chiefly in US and Central American waters
Etymology
Origin of panga
Borrowed into English from Swahili around 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This year, the eco-tour company Natural Habitat Adventures is debuting the archipelago’s first-ever electric panga, a maneuverable skiff ideal for exploring the coast.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Four people died after a panga boat capsized off the San Diego County coast early Saturday morning, authorities said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2025
Alcarez piloted a panga boat — a small, fishing-style vessel often used by human smugglers — to illegally bring an estimated 12 people into the United States from Mexico, prosecutors said.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 12, 2023
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
“I’m leaving the panga where you can get it,” she informed the Portuguese spirit.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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