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 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

Louisville Trolley restored the Toonerville II's mahogany exterior and steel framework as well as upgraded sound system to iPod and Bluetooth connectivity. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 2026

Floor-to-ceiling windows capped by 12-foot ceilings and European white oak floors in a custom honey stain accentuate those horizons, alongside mahogany millwork and bronze detailing. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2026

At Locanda Nerello, the property’s upscale organic restaurant, cabbage emulsions will come to the table tasting more like cabbage than seems feasible; chunks of Nebrodi pig, crisped to a mahogany brown, will top eggy, cheesy pasta, and local honey will sweeten complex desserts. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 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