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

Combine rotisserie chicken, cucumber, red peppers, briny kalamata olives, and lettuce. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Other fruits and vegetables in progress in her garden included sweet potatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, blueberries and peaches. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Unsurprisingly, pumpkins belong to the cucurbits family—which is just a fancy name for squashes and gourds and also includes other edible favorites like zucchini, cucumbers, and watermelons. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024

More than 40 vegetables are grown commercially in the state, which ranks in the top three on production value of tomato, bell pepper, snap bean, squash, cabbage and cucumber, according to the University of Florida. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 Oct. 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