hollowed

Hollowed is the past participle and, in some uses, the past tense form of the verb hollow, and it also functions as an adjective. It describes something that has been made hollow or that contains a hollow space, typically by removing interior material.

As an adjective, hollowed describes objects that are empty inside or have inner cavities. Common examples include a hollowed log, a hollowed-out pumpkin, or hollowed gourds. In woodworking, metalworking, and related crafts, hollowing is a technique used to remove material to create a concave interior or cavity within a solid piece, producing vessels, containers, or sculptural forms.

In natural and biological contexts, hollowed structures occur without human intervention. Birds, for example, often have hollow bones, which reduce weight and aid flight. Trees and other organisms can form hollows through decay, weathering, or animal activity, creating cavities that may provide shelter or nesting sites.

In culinary and display contexts, foods are often hollowed for stuffing or presentation. Examples include hollowed-out peppers, squash, apples, or gourds used as containers or decorative vessels.

Etymologically, hollowed derives from hollow, with the -ed suffix forming the past participle. The term is widely used across disciplines to denote spaces or forms that are empty or reduced from their original solid state, and it is commonly paired with the phrase hollowed out to emphasize the removal of interior material.