gourd

American  

[gawrd, gohrd, goord] / gɔrd, goʊrd, gʊərd /

noun

1. the hard-shelled fruit of any of various plants, especially those of Lagenaria siceraria white-flowered gourd, or bottle gourd, whose dried shell is used for bowls and other utensils, and Cucurbita pepo yellow-flowered gourd, used ornamentally.

2. a plant bearing such a fruit.

3. a dried and excavated gourd shell used as a bottle, dipper, flask, etc.

4. a gourd-shaped, small-necked bottle or flask.

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idioms

1. out of / off one's gourd, out of one's mind; crazy.

gourd British  

/ ɡʊəd /

noun

1. the fruit of any of various cucurbitaceous or similar plants, esp the bottle gourd and some squashes, whose dried shells are used for ornament, drinking cups, etc

2. any plant that bears this fruit See also sour gourd dishcloth gourd calabash

3. a bottle or flask made from the dried shell of the bottle gourd

4. a small bottle shaped like a gourd

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Other Word Forms

• gourd-shaped adjective
• gourdlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of gourd

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English gourd(e), courde, from Anglo-French ( Old French cöorde ), from Latin cucurbita

Example Sentences

To help figure out which seeds to use, he built a database that now traces the family trees of thousands of gargantuan gourds back generations.

From The Wall Street Journal

“If a Jack-o’-lantern isn’t your style, use paint, appliqués, and accessories to give your gourds personality,” Stewart suggests.

From Salon

Pumpkins, squash, zucchini, and other members of the gourd family have a surprising trait: they can take up pollutants from the soil and store them in their edible parts.

From Science Daily

While she prefers traditional orange, Torres isn’t afraid of a more ghostly gourd.

From The Wall Street Journal

In one corner, sautéed bitter gourd—in another, briny sea grapes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beaker
• canteen
• carafe
• chalice
• decanter
• jug
• urn
• vial