piñata

American  

[pin-yah-tuh, pee-nyah-tah] / pɪnˈyɑ tə, piˈnyɑ tɑ /

noun

plural

piñatas

1. (in Mexico and Central America) colorful papier-mâché figure or cheerfully decorated crock filled with toys, candy, etc., and suspended from above, especially during Christmas or birthday festivities, so that children, who are blindfolded, may break it or knock it down with sticks and release the contents.

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piñata British  

/ ˌpɪnˈjata /

noun

1. a papier-mâché party decoration filled with sweets, hung up during parties, and struck with a stick until it breaks open

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Etymology

Origin of piñata

1885–90; < Spanish: literally, pot < Italian pignatta, probably derivative of dial. pigna pinecone (from the pot's shape) < Latin pīnea, noun use of feminine of pīneus of the pine tree; pine ¹, -eous

Example Sentences

The economy may be less like a tire swing that always bounces back after being whacked with a stick, and more like a piñata that eventually bursts.

From The Wall Street Journal

That could be one more whack than the piñata can handle.

From The Wall Street Journal

And of course there is a piñata, in the shape of a sun and studded with local dried pinto beans, to represent the most joyful of picnic activities.

From Los Angeles Times

The piñata was a collaboration with a family-run piñata house.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s actually called the Piñata House, and I designed the sun sculpture, and then collaborated with them on making it.

From Los Angeles Times