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

Smashing the cucumbers creates nooks and crannies to soak up the dressing, so every bite is extra flavorful. —Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026

The 11-year-old’s lunches consist of cheese sandwiches with olive tapenade, cucumber sandwiches and rice with nori. —Jenna Thompson march 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026

Look for specialty bites like the Scarlet Wave, featuring seared salmon, spicy tuna, tobiko and crispy onions, or the Kaisen Roll, featuring lobster, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber and bonito. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

Thus began the cultivation of the cucumber in widely different environments—and, as a consequence, its consumption across different culinary traditions and cultures. —Andrés Muedano, JSTOR Daily, 25 Mar. 2026

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