: a rattle usually made from a gourd that is used as a percussion instrument
Examples of maraca in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Expect to hear maracas, flutes, guitars and percussion.
—
Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Each evening, a live band featuring percussion, guitar, maracas, and flute takes over the dining room, and guests who turn in early can stream the performance directly to their in-room TVs.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
During this period members of the community gather at the home of the deceased, where women typically lead the singing and play percussion instruments such as drums and maracas.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
These moving leaves are chased by male villagers to the soundtrack of maracas and a pulsing drum.
—Georgina Lawton, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
There were even moments where maracas and hand bells were used.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
That could include imagery such as pava hats — traditionally worn by jíbaro farmers — as well as instruments tied to bomba and plena, including maracas, güiros and cuatros.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The programs are considered Community Sings, so audience participation is encouraged, especially with handheld percussion instruments — think tambourines and maracas — or with songs.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
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Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Each evening, a live band featuring percussion, guitar, maracas, and flute takes over the dining room, and guests who turn in early can stream the performance directly to their in-room TVs.
—Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026
During this period members of the community gather at the home of the deceased, where women typically lead the singing and play percussion instruments such as drums and maracas.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
These moving leaves are chased by male villagers to the soundtrack of maracas and a pulsing drum.
—Georgina Lawton, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
There were even moments where maracas and hand bells were used.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
That could include imagery such as pava hats — traditionally worn by jíbaro farmers — as well as instruments tied to bomba and plena, including maracas, güiros and cuatros.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
The programs are considered Community Sings, so audience participation is encouraged, especially with handheld percussion instruments — think tambourines and maracas — or with songs.
—Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Liam Gallagher has been barred from his traditional maracas tossing at Oasis’ reunion concerts after crowd skirmishes in pursuit of the instruments resulted in injuries.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maraca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maraca. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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