calabash

noun
cal·​a·​bash | \ ˈka-lə-ˌbash How to pronounce calabash (audio) \

Definition of calabash

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

There are South African Nguni cattle skins, handmade Zulu ceramics, string art, baskets and beadwork, and lights made of reed and wood fishing baskets or calabash gourds, used by local farmers to collect water. Pamela Wright, BostonGlobe.com, "Check-In: andBeyond Phinda Homestead reopens in South Africa," 9 July 2019 The versions made by Igbo and Yoruba cooks may contain fewer ingredients, but will feature delicately sweet calabash nutmeg and smoky selim peppers in the mixture. New York Times, "Yewande Komolafe’s 10 Essential Nigerian Recipes," 26 June 2019 The new album features more textures and flavors, including African, Middle Eastern and Indian influences, more keyboards and a wider array of instrument such as calabash, gourd banjo, four-mallet marimba, bowed vibraphone and more. Gary Graff, Billboard, "The Steel Wheels 'Keep On' Keeping On: Video Premiere," 11 June 2019 The girls wade into the river with sponges and calabashes for a communal bath, and sit on a sacred stone that affirms their virginity. Danielle Jackson, Longreads, "The Nigerian, Feminist Designer who Flouts Convention," 12 Feb. 2017 His works are on canvas, calabash gourds and coconut pods, Salahuddin said. Roxana Popescu, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tijuana exhibit presents rarely seen slice of Mexican art, culture," 10 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calabash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of calabash

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for calabash

French & Spanish; French calebasse gourd, from Spanish calabaza

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