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

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.

From BBC

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

From Seattle Times

The orchestration calls for many instruments not typically heard in opera, including two guitars, high cowbells, chimes, maracas, gongs known as temple bowls and a synthesizer that plays back a wide variety of recorded sound.

From Seattle Times

Available are 90 guitars, 62 keyboards, 24 bass guitars, 15 maracas, five ukeleles, two tambourines and a couple of cowbells.

From Seattle Times

After Mexican week, there were accusations of casual racism and stereotypes because the hosts wore sombreros, used maracas and spoke in Spanish accents.

From BBC