# abaca

/æbˈækɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abaca
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. the plant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of banana plant grown for its strong fibers rather than its fruit.

For teachers: a plant species, Musa textilis, cultivated primarily in the Philippines for its leaf stalks.

- Farmers in the Philippines harvest abaca to produce high-quality materials for export.
- The cultivation of abaca remains a vital industry in Southeast Asia, as the plant thrives in the volcanic soil and humid climate of the archipelago.

### 2. the fiber

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a very strong natural fiber used to make rope, paper, and tea bags.

For teachers: the durable, water-resistant fiber extracted from the leaf sheaths of the abaca plant.

- The ship's thick ropes were made of abaca because it stays strong in salt water.
- Industrial manufacturers prefer abaca for specialized paper products, such as banknotes and tea bags, due to its exceptional tensile strength and resistance to water damage.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the material.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.