noun

maraca

muh-RAH-kuh/mˌɑrˈɑkɑ/

A handheld rattle shaken to make music.

The maraca has a rounded hollow gourd and a short wooden handle.

A single gourd maraca with a rounded hollow body and short wooden handle, shown diagonally in a clear three-quarter view.

Etymology

The name originally referred to a gourd rattle, connecting it directly with the percussion instrument. Its Brazilian native source is identified only generally, without a form or internal meaning.

In context

UK Forestry and Natural Resources39:20

a really tiny little rattlesnake and it's rattle sounds like the buzzing of an insect yeah big timber rattlesnake with a decent sized rattle you know is almost like a maraca

Snakes - with Dr. Steven Price and Dr. Matthew Springer, UK Forestry and Natural Resources

More examples

He holds a maraca in each hand.
The children shake their maracas during the chorus.
Loose beads inside the maraca rattle when you shake it.

Forms

maraca · maracas

Similar words

rattle: A broader term that includes toys as well as instruments.
shaker: A percussion instrument category including maracas and other shaken instruments.