Definition of the word mahogany

The origin of the word "mahogany" is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have come from the Spanish language. The wood itself is named after the island of Cuba's capital city, La Habana, which was also known as Havana in English. The Spanish name for the tree is "caoba de Havane," which translates to "Cuban cedar." When the wood was first exported to Europe, it was referred to as "mogano" or "Mahagoni," which is likely a corruption of the Spanish name. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the word evolved to become "mahogany," a term now widely used to describe the durable, reddish-brown wood of the mahogany tree (Swietenia mahagoni).