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 grandeur of soaring, 18-foot ceilings; gleaming mahogany finishes; velvet textures; and custom blue-and-white china work create an elegant but approachable ambiance. —Spencer Whaley, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Inside is an entryway where a mahogany staircase rises to the second floor. —Angela Serratore, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

The space is lined with custom white oak wood herringbone flooring in Jacobean Brown finish and includes crotch mahogany doors. —Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 13 Jan. 2025

An elevator helps tie the whole place together, from the spiral staircase and marble spa bath to the two fireplaces and a mahogany library, which is straight out of Downton Abbey. —Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 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