What does GOURD mean?

Definition of Gourd

A gourd is a type of fruit that is typically large and round with a hard outer shell. It is part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers, pumpkins, and melons. Gourds are often used for decoration or as containers, but some varieties are also edible.

Parts of Speech

Noun

Pronunciations

US: ɡɔrd

UK: ɡʊəd

Origin and Usage

Gourds have been used by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient civilizations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They were used for a variety of purposes, including as containers for food and water, musical instruments, and even as a form of currency. Today, gourds are still used for many of these same purposes, as well as for decoration and as a source of food and medicine in some cultures.

Synonyms

Squash, pumpkin, calabash

Related Words

Squib, quell, quark, quack, quake

Example Sentences

• She decorated her front porch with a variety of colorful gourds.
• The farmer grew a large crop of gourds to sell at the local market.
• He carved a scary face into the gourd and used it as a Halloween decoration.
• The soup was made with gourd, ginger, and other spices.