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

To make a cucumber martini, muddle a few slices of cucumber in the shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients. —Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 2 Dec. 2024

Last week, two recalls for cucumbers and Costco eggs were issued over Salmonella risk. —Jenna Anderson, Health, 2 Dec. 2024

Some individual whole American cucumbers may also bear a sticker (as shown below). —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2024

Recalls ordered for cucumbers, eggs Cucumbers shipped to the U.S. and Canada and organic eggs sold in 25 Costco stores in five southern U.S. states, were recalled this week for potential salmonella contamination. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 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