The list below is the official definitions list from the show schedule of the Indiana Gourd Society used in interpreting class descriptions.
 
GOURDS
basket gourd cut as a container and must have a handle of gourd or other material, i.e. antlers, sticks, etc.
bowl gourd cut as a container and cannot have a handle, unless otherwise specified
cleaned outside, inside if cut open, and stem, if there is one, must be cleaned
container gourd has a cut opening of sufficient size to be used a storage vessel.
cut the shell of the gourd has been penetrated, punctured or cut through in any manner
dried mature gourd that has hardened through natural process
functional the gourd can be safely used for the purpose it was designed and intended
pitcher the gourd must be cut to hold liquid and have a handle
whole the shell of the gourd has been penetrated through i any manner
TECHNIQUES
carving, including chip carving removal of material without penetrating through the shell of the gourd in any manner
chiseled removal of material without penetrating through the shell of the gourd in any manner
cutting removal of material by penetrating the shell of the gourd 
gouged removal of material without penetrating through the shell of the gourd in any manner
painting the use of paint, dyes, markers, stains, or any other material to color any part of the gourd
sculpture use of gourds and/or gourd pieces to form a recognizable or abstract form, with a minimum of non-gourd materials used
weaving use of material to weave a pattern in the shell, around the lip, or in an opening cut in the gourd
wood burning etching of the surface of the gourd with heat, without penetrating the shell of the gourd
FINISHES
clear waxes, varnishes and other materials that do not change the natural color of the gourd.
natural no finish of any type can be applied
colored paints, dyes, stains, markers, ink or any material that changes the natural color of the gourd.
FLORAL
anything under the container, not permanently attached
conformance meets the specific requirements of the class description
contrived flowers flowers constructed of recognizable plant material which was at one time was a living plant
creativity new concept, fresh approach, unusual combination of materials and colors, etc.
handcrafted flowers flowers constructed of recognizable plant material which was at one time was a living plant
treated plant material any part of a once living plant, which has been dyed, painted, varnished, or otherwise treated to alter its natural color or texture
MATERIALS
man made material has been substantially altered from its natural state
natural material is in its natural state with a minimum of alteration
treated natural material that has been dyed, painted, stained, varnished, or altered in some other manner change its basic structure, color, or texture