maguey

American  

[mag-wey, muh-gey, mah-gey] / ˈmæg weɪ, məˈgeɪ, mɑˈgeɪ /

noun

1. any of several plants of the genus Agave, of the agave family, especially the cantala, A. cantala.

2. the fiber from these plants.

3. a rope made from this or a similar fiber.

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maguey British  

/ ˈmæɡweɪ /

noun

1. any of various tropical American agave plants of the genera Agave or Furcraea, esp one that yields a fibre or is used in making an alcoholic beverage

2. the fibre from any of these plants, used esp for rope

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Etymology

Origin of maguey

First recorded in 1545–55; from Spanish, from Taíno

Compare meaning

How does maguey compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• maguey vs. agave

Example Sentences

They expected the results might point to several different insects, since gusanos de maguey are harvested from the wild rather than raised through a standardized commercial system.

From Science Daily • Apr. 26, 2026

In his grief, Quetzalcoatl planted Mayahuel's remains, from which a maguey plant grew.

From Salon • Dec. 3, 2024

From her stall featuring regional delicacies — chile-infused dried grasshoppers, juicy white worms from the maguey plant and handmade chocolates, among other edible fare — 63-year-old Eufenia Hernandez issued a challenge to U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2023

Some steam adobo-marinated goat wrapped in maguey leaves in an oven.

From Washington Post • Nov. 16, 2021

We pass milpitas, and big spiky maguey plants with white sheets and colorful laundry drying upon them.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads