cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family cultivated as a garden vegetable

also : this vine

Illustration of cucumber

Examples of cucumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cucumber

• cucumber mosaic
• cucumber tree
• sea cucumber
• spotted cucumber beetle
• squirting cucumber

Kids Definition

cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: 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 

: 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