lemon

¹lem·on

noun \ˈle-mən\

Definition of LEMON

1

a : an acid fruit that is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry produced by a small thorny citrus tree (Citrus limon) and that has a rind from which an aromatic oil is extracted

b : a tree that bears lemons

2

: one (as an automobile) that is unsatisfactory or defective

Examples of LEMON

1. The recipe calls for the juice of two lemons.
2. Garnish it with a slice of lemon.
3. Our new car is a lemon.

Illustration of LEMON

Origin of LEMON

Middle English lymon, from Middle French limon, from Medieval Latin limon-, limo, from Arabic laymūn, līmūn, from Persian līmū, līmun

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to LEMON

Synonyms

bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, clunker, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, fiasco, fizzle, flop, frost, failure, loser, miss, shipwreck, turkey, washout

Antonyms

blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner

Related Words

also-ran, disappointment, dog, has-been, near miss; botch, hash, mess, muddle, shambles; nonevent; nonstarter

Near Antonyms

corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, phenomenon

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with LEMON

Bremen, leman, Yemen

²lemon

adjective

Definition of LEMON

1

: of the color lemon yellow

2

a : containing lemon

b : having the flavor or scent of lemon

First Known Use of LEMON

1598

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

lem·on

noun \ˈlem-ən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of LEMON

: an acid fruit that contains citric acid and vitamin C, is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry, and is produced by a small thorny tree of the genus Citrus (C. limon); also : this tree

—lemon adjective

Illustration of LEMON

lemon

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Lemon (Citrus limon)—J. Horace McFarland Co.

Small thorny tree or spreading bush (Citrus limon) of the rue (or citrus) family and its edible fruit. Under the yellow outer rind or peel is the white, spongy inner peel, the source of commercial pectin. The juicy pulp is acidic and rich in vitamin C and contains smaller amounts of B vitamins. The climates of coastal Italy and California are especially favourable for the cultivation of lemon trees, which in these regions produce fruit 6–10 times a year. Lemon juice enhances many dishes, and lemonade is a popular warm-weather beverage. Lemon by-products are used in beverages (citric acid), fruit jellies (pectin), and furniture polish (lemon oil).