panama Syllabification: (pan·a·ma)Pronunciation: /ˈpanəˌmä/ (also panama hat)Definition of panama noun a wide-brimmed hat of strawlike material, originally made from the leaves of a particular tropical palm tree, worn chiefly by men. Origin: mid 19th century: named after the country of Panamapanama in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of panama in the British & World English dictionary