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

At their most basic, the flatbreads are topped with za’atar, a blend of Mediterranean herbs and sesame seeds, plus fresh tomatoes, cucumber and mint. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

In the mid-1920s, Lebanese immigrant Shikrey Baddour partnered with George Moore, a sailor from Wilmington who also had experience working at a pickle plant, to use up a local surplus of cucumbers. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Her recipe includes pears, celery, cucumbers, parsley, ginger, and orange. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 22 July 2026

Foods such as cabbage, cucumber, strawberries, and more have a water content of 90% or higher. — Cynthia Sass, Health, 22 July 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