melon

noun

mel·​on ˈme-lən 

plural melons

often attributive

1

: any of various typically sweet gourds (such as a muskmelon or watermelon) usually eaten raw as fruits

2

: something rounded like a melon: such as

a

: a rounded organ in the front of the head of some cetaceans and all toothed whales that is composed of lipids and waxy material and is thought to be utilized in echolocation

b

: a person's head

A great afternoon at the park usually meant coming home with blisters on our hands, a bump or two on the melon and the obligatory skinned knee.

—Robb Moretti

3

a

: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders

b

: a financial windfall

Synonyms of melon

• head
• skull
• bean
• noodle
• pate
• dome
• noggin

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Explore combinations such as feta, spinach, and walnuts; feta with sweet potatoes and olives; feta avocado and arugula; or feta, cantaloupe, melon, and toasted almonds. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026

Noticing the tens of tons of melons left behind after harvest since they are not deemed retail-worthy, in 2024 the partners began work on transforming these less-than-perfect melons into bags. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026

Wedges of Weiser Family Farms melon, its floral qualities teased out by honey and lime, and offset by the distinct pepperiness of red shiso. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

In the produce section, there’s a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including Hawaiian purple yams, kabocha squash, yuca root, papayas, jackfruit, tomatillos, poblano peppers, Indian eggplants and big tubs full of melons. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin melon-, melo, short for Latin melopepon-, melopepo, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn, an edible gourd — more at pumpkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melon

• honeydew melon
• melon baller
• winter melon

Rhymes for melon

• felon
• snellen
• tellin
• endothelin
• gibberellin
• watermelon
• muskmelon

Kids Definition

melon

noun

mel·​on ˈmel-ən 

: any of various fruits (as a cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon) of the gourd family that have juicy and usually sweet flesh eaten raw and a firm rind