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

Often paired with tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion in a classic Greek salad (also known as horiatiki), feta has long been beloved in the United States—especially in the summer. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

The meal includes a family-style, three-course menu of seafood soup, dumplings and Peking duck with cucumber salad; ginger scallion shrimp, Hong Kong chicken, Chinese broccoli, mei fun noodles, egg and onion rice; and a dessert by Berna Bakes. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

Have someone whip up the garlicky yogurt sauce, someone else slice the tomatoes, someone else cut the cucumbers. — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

If the rest of the cucumber is crisp and fresh, it can still be used in salads, sandwiches, and crudité platters. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 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