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

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

From Salon

The following spring, all the magueys on the hill sprouted stalks that bore the graffiti that declared their eternal love, a bit of magical realism that’s also one of the great reveals in ranchera history.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Post

At 66 I haven’t got a lot of time left before I transmogrify into a maguey.

From New York Times

Mezcal made from maguey espadín, the most common maguey, has a fruity, pineapple aroma and flavor.

From New York Times