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

The restaurant itself has been protected as a historical French monument since 1990 and the classic interiors—complete with warm mahogany wood paneling by Jean Royère—are beautifully preserved. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

Polished mahogany, rock crystal bronze fittings and artisan glass details glean inspiration from Wynn Design & Development president Todd-Avery Lenahan’s favorite drink, the Old Fashioned, translating warmth and structure into architectural form. —Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Charged with nonpayment of taxes in 1969, Old Ebbitt Grill was closed by the IRS and bought the next year by the co-owners of Clyde’s in Georgetown, Stuart Davidson and John Laytham, who initially hoped to secure just the Grill’s beer steins and mahogany bar. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026

The sets, by production designer Sara K White, look richly rendered in era-appropriate shades of mustard and teal and mahogany. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026

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