SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

cabasa

noun
Save Word
ca·​ba·​sa | \ kəˈbäsə \
plural -s

Definition of cabasa

: a percussion instrument made of a hollow gourd enclosed in a net of threaded beads for use in a Cuban band

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of cabasa

1948, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cabasa

American Spanish, from Portuguese cabaça, literally, gourd, from Old Portuguese calabazo; akin to Spanish calabaza gourd, Catalan carbassa

Learn More About cabasa

Dictionary Entries Near cabasa

cabas

cabasa

cabasset

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for cabasa

Cite this Entry

“Cabasa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cabasa. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

mercurial

Listen to the pronunciation of mercurial

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Name That Food

  • a-light
  • Name these cookies!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games