# gourd

/ˈɡɔɹd/ (US) · /ɡˈɔːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gourd
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a large, hollow container made from a dried pumpkin or squash. You use it to hold things like seeds, water, or even as a musical instrument.

For teachers: a dried, hollowed-out shell of a large, hard-skinned fruit, typically used as a container or a musical instrument. Often refers to the specific species Cucurbita pepo.

## Examples

- He filled the gourd with dried beans for the winter.
- The children used the gourd as a makeshift water bottle during their hike through the forest.
- In many traditional cultures, the gourd serves not only as a practical vessel for storage but also as a symbol of fertility and abundance.

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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.