calabash

noun

cal·​a·​bash ˈka-lə-ˌbash 

1

: a tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) of the bignonia family

also : its large hard-shelled globose fruit

2

: gourd

especially : one whose hard shell is used for a utensil

3

: a utensil (such as a bottle or dipper) made from the shell of a calabash

Examples of calabash in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That owes much to guests such as Shahzad Ismaily, Laurie Anderson, Leo Abrahams, and musicians from Mali playing instruments such as the ngoni, calabash, and yabara. — Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

The calabash of poi is always full; there is also meat; water in quantity, coffee and bread sometimes, wine or beer never. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

Now the installation — and the calabash that triggered it — is serving inspiration once more. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026

When Catalina goes into the kitchen to refill her calabash, Frances grabs the box of Thompson paperbacks and makes a run for Ray at the restaurant. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French & Spanish; French calebasse gourd, from Spanish calabaza

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for calabash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

calabash

noun

cal·​a·​bash ˈkal-ə-ˌbash 

: gourd sense 2

especially : one whose hard shell is used for a utensil (as a bottle)