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 Calder Cup is 24 inches tall and is made up of two parts — a 12-inch deep cup atop a 12-inch deep base of Brazilian mahogany. —Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025

Design details include cherry-tone mahogany wood tables and chairs, accent chairs that feature rush weaving, green tiling on the standing bar, pendant lighting and domed wall sconces that add up to create a glowy effect at night. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 5 June 2025

The counter and tables are crafted from the rich mahogany that’s synonymous with Rivas, while the seating evokes the upholstery on the legendary speedboats. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 June 2025

The huge mahogany table – a single slab 35 feet long and 10 feet wide – is the centerpiece of this historic cypress and heartwood pine building designed to be a Polynesian ceremonial palace. —Bonnie Gross, Sun Sentinel, 4 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