cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family cultivated as a garden vegetable
also : this vine

Illustration of cucumber

Illustration of cucumber

Examples of cucumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Culinary choices include chickpea smash, cucumber chive or ham and tomato sandwiches, mini charcuterie boards, salads and fruit pies on a stick. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Slices of cucumber make a refreshing (and green!) garnish. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 Jenner then offered a peek at her daughter’s lunchbox, which was packed with healthy snacks including watermelon, carrots and cucumber that had been cut into star shapes. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The fresh taste comes from the cucumber, lemon, bell pepper and parsley. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 17 Feb. 2024 Ketel One Green Mary 1 oz Ketel One Family-Made Vodka 3.5 oz freshly juiced celery and cucumber in equal parts 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice 1 pinch rock salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and dried chili flakes Add all ingredients to the glass, stir well, add ice. Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 That’s because the key botanicals used to flavor the spirit—rose petals and cucumber—were considered to be unusual at the time. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 The namesake Paradise Burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickled onion and 1000 island dressing. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 The special menu includes a green salad featuring arugula, baby spinach, radishes, endives, onions, poached peppers, avocado, cucumbers and grape tomatoes, matzo ball soup and braised fish with asparagus risotto and edamame puree. Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cucumber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucumbre, from Latin cucumer-, cucumis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cucumber was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cucumber

Cite this Entry

“Cucumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cucumber. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cucumber

noun
cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce cucumber (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on cucumber

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!