Illustration of piñata
piñata
noun
pi·ña·ta
pēn-ˈyä-tə 
pin-
variants
or pinata
: a decorated vessel (such as of papier-mâché) filled with candies, fruits, and gifts and hung up to be broken with sticks by blindfolded persons as part of especially Latin American festivities (as at Christmas or for a birthday party)
Examples of piñata in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Justin Herbert, despite being treated too often as the NFL’s largest pinata, has managed to stay on the field.
—
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Birthday pinata If there is a birthday on the horizon, use the Halloween candy to stuff the pinata.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
At the pre-match party, create a DIY mini pinata, enjoy delicious bites from local food trucks and grab a free FC Cincinnati taco holder.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025
Arizona’s bullpen pinatas were Andrew Hoffmann (charged with four runs) and Andrew Saalfrank (charged with two).
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
In an October 2016 PopSugar interview, Jenna described celebrating birthdays with pinatas and making tamales at Christmas.
—Julie Tremaine, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Face painting, crafts, pinatas and big Conga Parade for kids.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Brian Loveland carried a Trump pinata on his back and a half Pride half American flag.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025
That’s when the game turned into a pinata — the Panthers with the stick, the Canes busted wide open.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025
Birthday pinata If there is a birthday on the horizon, use the Halloween candy to stuff the pinata.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
At the pre-match party, create a DIY mini pinata, enjoy delicious bites from local food trucks and grab a free FC Cincinnati taco holder.
—Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025
Arizona’s bullpen pinatas were Andrew Hoffmann (charged with four runs) and Andrew Saalfrank (charged with two).
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
In an October 2016 PopSugar interview, Jenna described celebrating birthdays with pinatas and making tamales at Christmas.
—Julie Tremaine, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Face painting, crafts, pinatas and big Conga Parade for kids.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Brian Loveland carried a Trump pinata on his back and a half Pride half American flag.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025
That’s when the game turned into a pinata — the Panthers with the stick, the Canes busted wide open.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Piñata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pi%C3%B1ata. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
piñata
noun
pi·ña·ta
pēn-ˈyät-ə
: a decorated container filled with candies, fruits, and gifts which is hung up to be broken open with sticks by blindfolded persons during festivities
Etymology
Spanish, literally, "pot"
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