mahogany

noun

ma·​hog·​a·​ny mə-ˈhä-gə-nē 

plural mahoganies

1

: the wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees (family Meliaceae, the mahogany family):

a(1)

: the durable yellowish-brown to reddish-brown usually moderately hard and heavy wood of a West Indian tree (Swietenia mahagoni) that is widely used for cabinetwork and fine finish work

(2)

: a wood similar to mahogany from a congeneric tropical American tree (especially S. macrophylla)

b(1)

: the rather hard heavy usually odorless wood of any of several African trees (genus Khaya)

(2)

: the rather lightweight cedar-scented wood of any of several African trees (genus Entandrophragma) that varies in color from pinkish to deep reddish brown

2

: any of various woods resembling or substituted for mahogany obtained from trees of the mahogany family

3

: a tree that yields mahogany

4

: a moderate reddish brown

Examples of mahogany in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Readers also loved Rosewood London (No. 6), which is housed inside an Edwardian mansion lavishly decorated with Cuban mahogany and seven types of marble. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

But three women stood in front of Evans’ mahogany desk. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 July 2025

The setup at the 18th-century venue featured yachting décor with pink and green lattice, banquettes, and mahogany bars with light bites and cocktails. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 7 July 2025

Both departed for San Giorgio Island on the MOA NYC boat, a luxury boat crafted from mahogany wood that seats eight people and is rented out by Blitz Exclusive Services, which offers luxury boats, yachts and cars for travel around Venice. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mahogany

• African mahogany
• mountain mahogany
• Philippine mahogany

Kids Definition

mahogany

noun

ma·​hog·​a·​ny mə-ˈhäg-ə-nē 

plural mahoganies

1

: the wood of any of various chiefly tropical trees: as

a

: the strong usually reddish brown and heavy wood of a West Indian tree that is widely used to make furniture

b

: any of several African woods that vary in color from pinkish to deep reddish brown

2

: any of various woods resembling or substituted for true mahogany

3

: a tree from which mahogany is obtained

4

: a moderate reddish brown