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)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, new leadership via Discovery’s David Zaslov again turned DC Films into a pinata. 
Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Patrick Corbin, signed to a flags-fly-forever $140 million deal before 2019, has been a pinata since, appropriately failing to complete five innings in Monday’s 7-3 loss. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2022 He’s already been sacked a career-high 37 times and hit more than a pinata. Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 11 Dec. 2021 Bring your bear to the Mill Museum for a holiday party, which features crafts and a pinata. courant.com, 4 Dec. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 Elsa's celebration included extra enrichment activities, extra treats, a personal pinata, and presents. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 21 Oct. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 See More
Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Patrick Corbin, signed to a flags-fly-forever $140 million deal before 2019, has been a pinata since, appropriately failing to complete five innings in Monday’s 7-3 loss. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2022 He’s already been sacked a career-high 37 times and hit more than a pinata. Mike Preston, baltimoresun.com, 11 Dec. 2021 Bring your bear to the Mill Museum for a holiday party, which features crafts and a pinata. courant.com, 4 Dec. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 Elsa's celebration included extra enrichment activities, extra treats, a personal pinata, and presents. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 21 Oct. 2021 Put all the Halloween candy in a pinata to break open. Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Spanish piñata, literally, pot, from Italian pignatta, probably from pigna pine cone — more at pignoli
First Known Use
1868, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
piñata
noun
pi·ña·ta
pēn-ˈyä-tə
: a decorated container filled with treats (as candy and toys) and hung up to be broken open by a blindfolded person with a stick