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 fragrance, which is a blend of amber, oud, vanilla, mahogany, and a hint of cocoa, comes in a sleek ombre jar with a wooden top that’ll look great on an end table or mantle. —Shea Simmons, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024

Merlot, mahogany, bordeaux, and burgundy were all staples on the runway for fall 2024, where they were represented with red bags from Chanel, Ferragamo, Dries Van Noten, and Louis Vuitton. —Marissa Muller, WWD, 30 Nov. 2024

This viral beauty product has notes of flowers and mahogany, creating a warm, long-lasting fragrance that everyone will love. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2024

In the living room of the main house, the designers from AD PRO Directory firm MK Workshop refinished the worse-for-wear wood paneling in Raisin by Sherwin-Williams, a hue akin to the original mahogany. —Leilani Marie Labong, Architectural Digest, 25 Nov. 2024

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