Gourds are a type of fruit from the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes cucumbers, summer and winter squashes, and pumpkins. They are hard-shelled and non-edible, and many species have unisexual flowers that are borne in the leaf axils and have five white or yellow petals. Gourds are native to tropical or warm temperate climates and require a long growing season to mature. They are killed by frost and are fast-growing prostrate or climbing vines, often with spirally coiled tendrils. Some common types of gourds include:

• Bottle gourd: frequently used for containers and other items, and cherished as they are used in musical instrument veena.
• Calabash: frequently used as storage containers and utensils.
• Luffa: includes several species from the genus Luffa, and can also be eaten in their immature stage.
• Malabar gourd: a species from the genus Cucurbita, native to North America.
• Turban squash: a species from the genus Cucurbita, native to North America.
• Buffalo gourd: a perennial species with winged growths.
• Wax gourd: a species from the genus Benincasa.
• Snake gourd: a species from the genus Trichosanthes.
• Teasel gourd: a species from the genus Cucumis.
• Hedgehog gourd: a species from the genus Cucumis.

Gourds have been used for a multitude of purposes throughout history, including food, kitchen tools, toys, musical instruments, and decoration. Today, they are mostly used as ornamental novelties, birdhouses, or ornamental decorations on Thanksgiving. Dried gourds can be made into a wide variety of useful objects, including utensils, cups, bottles, scoops, ladles, fishnet floats, and birdhouses. Numerous musical instruments made from gourds are found on nearly every continent, including many types of rattles and various other percussion instruments.