cantaloupe

noun can·ta·loupe \ ˈkan-tə-ˌlōp also -ˌlüp \

variants: or less commonly cantaloup

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of cantaloupe

1 : a small widely cultivated muskmelon (Cucumis melo reticulatus) with a heavily netted rind and usually orange flesh; broadly : muskmelon a

2 : a muskmelon (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) with a rough hard warty rind that is not usually grown in North America

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Recent Examples of cantaloupe from the Web

Turn your cantaloupe into the most delicious bowl for yogurt.

— audrey bruno, SELF, "Here's How to Pick a Perfect Melon Every Time," 31 May 2018
Maloney encouraged the students to identify different types of melons such as watermelon, honeydew melons and cantaloupes, and discussed states they are grown in such as California, Arizona, Texas and Florida.

— julie gallant, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Bayer donates salad bars to Ramona schools," 29 May 2018
Harmful organisms now show up in foods that were not considered a problem years ago, like raspberries, cantaloupe, ice cream, salami, scallions, parsley, apple cider and even toasted oat cereal.

— New York Times, "How to Minimize the Risk of Food Poisoning," 28 May 2018
On the beverage front, Puesto has agave spirits, a handful of signature cocktails, as well as a custom pale ale called Canta Birra, made with cantaloupe.

— justin phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Here’s what an $8 million Bay Area restaurant looks like," 18 May 2018
The farm also sells such other produce as heirloom and beefsteak tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, green beans, cantaloupe, watermelon and various kinds of squash.

— ben brazil, latimes.com, "Manassero Farms preserves its link to Orange County’s past," 17 May 2018
The woodstove, set into a corner of the room, has a backdrop of stones the size of cantaloupes set halfway up the walls.

— joan walden, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 5 Ridgewood Rd., Burlington," 1 June 2017
Her provisions for the day included ham and salami for sandwiches, two cases of water and assorted fruit: watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and apples.

— azcentral, "LIVE updates: Thousands of teachers, supporters walk out for more education funding," 26 Apr. 2018
An Australian farm has recommenced selling cantaloupes despite the melons being blamed for an outbreak of the deadly listeria bacteria that the World Health Organization said had killed seven people and caused a miscarriage in Australia.

— Fox News, "Australian farm sells melons after fatal listeria outbreak," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cantaloupe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cantaloupe

Cantalupo, former papal villa near Rome, Italy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1739

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

CANTALOUPE Defined for English Language Learners

cantaloupe

noun

Definition of cantaloupe for English Language Learners

: a type of large fruit (called a melon) that has a hard, rough skin and orange flesh

CANTALOUPE Defined for Kids

cantaloupe

noun can·ta·loupe \ ˈkan-tə-ˌlōp \

Definition of cantaloupe for Students

: a melon usually with a hard rough skin and reddish orange flesh

Learn More about cantaloupe

See words that rhyme with cantaloupe Spanish Central: Translation of cantaloupe Nglish: Translation of cantaloupe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cantaloupe for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cantaloupe

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cantaloupe

Definition of cantaloupe for English Language Learners

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