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

These last three products all used potentially contaminated cucumbers in their tzatziki sauces. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Sprouts recalled select lots of Gyro Family Kits on Friday following supplier Reser's Fine Foods, Inc. reporting potential salmonella contamination of the tzatziki sauce's cucumbers, according to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024

On that list: A deadly listeria outbreak among Boar's Head deli meat and an investigation into cucumbers contaminated with salmonella. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024

Walmart is recalling cucumber slices sold in 34 Texas stores over concerns that they may be contaminated with salmonella. —Rudy Chinchilla, NBC News, 5 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