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

Customers can choose between salads, grain bowls or a mix of the two as the base of either one of Cava’s signature bowls or a customizable one, with ingredients like tzatziki, harissa honey chicken, Persian cucumbers and more. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026

Jonathan chomps at the air, expecting Hollins to feed him pears, cucumbers or carrots. — Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2026

The plan would permanently preserve 374 acres of farmland owned by Bullseye Farms, which currently grows sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes and alfalfa. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Don’t miss the local catch rubbed in achiote marinade, served over white miso pinto beans, mango-cucumber salsita, and guajillo chili oil. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 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