maraca

[ muh-rah-kuh, -rak-uh ]
/ məˈrɑ kə, -ˈræk ə /

noun

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

Origin of maraca

1815–25; < Portuguese < Tupi maráka

Words nearby maraca

mara, marabi, marabou, marabout, marabunta, maraca, maracaibo, maracanda, maracay, maradona, marae

Example sentences from the Web for maracas

  • Two guitars, a cornet, maracas, sticks and a lugubrious baritone.

    The Five Arrows |Allan Chase

British Dictionary definitions for maracas

maraca
/ (məˈrækə) /

noun

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 Origin for maraca

C20: Brazilian Portuguese, from Tupi