melon

noun

mel·​on ˈme-lən 

plural melons

often attributive

1

: any of various typically sweet gourds (such as a muskmelon or watermelon) usually eaten raw as fruits

2

: something rounded like a melon: such as

a

: a rounded organ in the front of the head of some cetaceans and all toothed whales that is composed of lipids and waxy material and is thought to be utilized in echolocation

b

: a person's head

A great afternoon at the park usually meant coming home with blisters on our hands, a bump or two on the melon and the obligatory skinned knee.

—Robb Moretti

3

a

: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders

b

: a financial windfall

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In summer, a milder sauce has just a whisper of melon, showing the versatility of a mille-feuille that can stretch over seasons. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024

Chunks of melon and spiced peach bread, as well as pie, follow up for dessert. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Foods rich in potassium include melons, sweet potatoes, cooked spinach, nuts, and beans. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 2024

The expression is a bouquet of fresh flowers along with strawberry, melon, and white peach. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin melon-, melo, short for Latin melopepon-, melopepo, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn, an edible gourd — more at pumpkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melon

• honeydew melon
• melon baller
• winter melon

Kids Definition

melon

noun

mel·​on ˈmel-ən 

: any of various fruits (as a cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon) of the gourd family that have juicy and usually sweet flesh eaten raw and a firm rind