marabou

noun

mar·​a·​bou ˈmer-ə-ˌbü How to pronounce marabou (audio)
ˈma-rə-
variants or less commonly marabout
1
a
: a soft feathery fluffy material prepared from turkey feathers or the coverts of marabous and used especially for trimming women's hats or clothes
b
marabou : a large dark gray African stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) that has a distensible pouch of pink skin at the front of the neck and feeds especially on carrion

called also marabou stork

2
a
: silk composed of several twisted threads that is dyed before the sericin has been removed
b
: a fabric made of this silk

Illustration of marabou

Illustration of marabou
  • marabou 1b

Examples of marabou in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Who but Cher would entertain the audience in belly-baring halter tops or marabou feathers and sequins? Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 20 May 2021 At the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' second annual gala, Olivia Wilde wore a glittering silver gown from Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture with a pink marabou feather trim and sheer bodice. Colleen Kratofil, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2024 Add a horseback safari through the grounds to your itinerary to see llamas, colobus monkeys, marabou storks, zebras and peacocks. Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 So when the trailer for the upcoming live-action Barbie movie opened with a shot of star Margot Robbie stepping out of Barbie’s marabou stilettos, still on tiptoes, the internet exploded. Time, 27 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for marabou 

Word History

Etymology

French marabout, literally, marabout

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of marabou was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near marabou

Cite this Entry

“Marabou.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marabou. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on marabou

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!