noun
A deep, open container for food, cooking, or holding things. Often used in compounds like すり鉢 (mortar) or 火鉢 (brazier).
サラダを大きな鉢に盛り付ける。
I serve the salad in a large bowl.
noun
Specifically a container for growing plants. 植木鉢 is the full word, but 鉢 alone is common in context.
ベランダの鉢にハーブを植えた。
I planted herbs in a pot on the balcony.
noun
Refers to the top of the head. Common in set phrases like 鉢が開く (to go bald on top) or 鉢合わせ (head-on collision; bumping into someone).
彼は若いのに鉢が開いてきた。
He's still young, but the crown of his head is starting to go bald.