Definition of "calabash" [cal•a•bash]

• An annual vine (Lagenaria siceraria) having white flowers and smooth, large, hard-shelled gourds. Also called bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd. (noun)
• A tropical American tree (Crescentia cujete) bearing hard-shelled, gourdlike fruits on the trunk and main branches. Also called calabash tree. (noun)
• Any of certain similar or related plants. (noun)
• The fruit of any of these plants. (noun)
• A utensil or container made from the dried, hollowed-out shell of any of these fruits. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "“We are impounding their bikes and want to take them to court so they can explain why they think wearing a calabash is good enough for their safety,” he said."
• "Israel Kamakawiwo'ole -- his proper name -- was a distant relation of Keola, his so-called calabash cousin."
• "It was served in this thing called a calabash bowl."