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

Guests can cruise through the waters on mahogany boats or arrange for a gourmet picnic to take place on the sprawling grounds. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025

The bag comes in black and brown variations, mahogany, tan and ash grey. —Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025

The collection’s colors — molasses, white, mahogany, caramel and toffee — pay homage to the warm, rich tones of Woodford Reserve. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025

The apartment’s previous owner, the late Hong Kong billionaire Eric Hotung, allegedly spent $2 million to build out the studio with luxurious features such as mahogany ceilings, walls and a spiral staircase leading up to a mezzanine, as shown in this listing photo. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 3 Apr. 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