cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family cultivated as a garden vegetable
also : this vine

Illustration of cucumber

Illustration of cucumber

Examples of cucumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Onion seeds, for example, stay fresh only for about one year, while tomato and cucumber seeds last for four to five years with proper storage. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024 Democrats are filled with anxiety and the Republicans are cool as cucumbers, looking toward Election Day. —NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024 To make the agua fresca: Blend cucumber, honeydew, mint, sugar, and water until smooth, then strain. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 This canned cocktail lured me in with promises of gin, cucumber, lemon and seltzer. —Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cucumber 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucumbre, from Latin cucumer-, cucumis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cucumber was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing cucumber

Dictionary Entries Near cucumber

Cucumariidae

cucumber

cucumber angular leaf spot

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Cucumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cucumber. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

cucumber

noun
cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: the long fleshy usually many-seeded green-skinned fruit of a vine of the gourd family that is grown as a garden vegetable
also : this vine

Medical Definition

cucumber

noun
cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family that is cultivated as a garden vegetable and that has diuretic seeds
also : this vine

More from Merriam-Webster on cucumber

Nglish: Translation of cucumber for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cucumber for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cucumber

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