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

Crazy Fresh and more, cucumbers and salads with kit. —Jason Lalljee, Axios, 26 Dec. 2024

From Boar's Head and McDonald's to cucumbers and carrots, outbreaks of illnesses caused by E. coli, listeria and salmonella have been the primary cause of the recurring recalls, some of which resulted in hospitalizations and deaths. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024

Other outbreaks have been attributed to organic carrots, cucumbers, eggs, basil, chocolate and raw cheddar cheese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024

Hand-Pollinate Flowers Fruiting plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are pollinated by insects or the wind in outdoor gardens. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 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