maraca

[muh-rah-kuh, -rak-uh]

noun

1. a gourd or a gourd-shaped rattle filled with seeds or pebbles and used, often in a pair, as a rhythm instrument.

maraca

/ məˈrækə /

noun

1. a percussion instrument, usually one of a pair, consisting of a gourd or plastic shell filled with dried seeds, pebbles, etc. It is used chiefly in Latin American music

Word History and Origins

Origin of maraca¹

1815–25; < Portuguese < Tupi maráka

Word History and Origins

Origin of maraca¹

C20: Brazilian Portuguese, from Tupi

Example Sentences

For “Down on the Corner,” I did the maracas and the middle solo part, then sang all the background vocals, then sang the lead.

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“When we met in person, I felt like I had little maracas out,” Baram jokes.

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Boys in bright shirts play pan pipes, while girls wearing molas shake maracas.

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Whether it's tapping a keyboard, playing the recorder or mastering the maracas, lots of us have probably had similar experiences of music lessons in school.

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The maker of maracas, hammocks and ceramics does not see his vote as automatically transferable.

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