maguey

noun

ma·​guey mə-ˈgā 

1

: any of various fleshy-leaved agaves (such as the century plant)

2

: any of several hard fibers derived from magueys

especially : cantala

Examples of maguey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional cooking of maguey agave for the production of mezcal in the central valley of Oaxaca. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026

At the restaurant, open and buzzing with customers since 1969, cooks combine a mixture of beef cheeks and meat from the head, wrap it in a maguey leaf, place a cow tongue on top, and steam it (the tongue is served separately). — Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025

Traditionally, it’s wrapped in the thin film sourced from the stalks of maguey plants such as agave, and then steamed or cooked in a pit. — Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024

Mezcals may be made from a species of agave (there are 30) called maguey as well. — John Mariani, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Taino

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

maguey

noun

ma·​guey mə-ˈgā 

plural magueys

1

: any of various agaves (as the century plant) with fleshy leaves

2

: any of several hard fibers obtained from magueys