cantaloupe

noun

can·​ta·​loupe ˈkan-tə-ˌlōp How to pronounce cantaloupe (audio)
 also  -ˌlüp
variants or less commonly cantaloup
1
: a small widely cultivated muskmelon (Cucumis melo reticulatus) with a heavily netted rind and usually orange flesh
broadly : muskmelon sense a
2
: a muskmelon (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) with a rough hard warty rind that is not usually grown in North America

Examples of cantaloupe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cease to rely solely on my own judgment regarding the ripeness of a cantaloupe. Audrey Burges, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 Citrus, grass, and fruit flavors come through next on the palate, along with some orange marmalade, brown sugar, and even fresh cantaloupe, an unexpected but welcome tasting note. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2023 Ripe cantaloupes should have a musky fragrance and the end of the fruit opposite where the vine is attached should be soft, but not too soft. oregonlive, 2 Sep. 2023 Blueberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, squashes and cucumbers all rank among Georgia’s most valuable food crops, and all rely on honeybees and other pollinators to ensure bountiful harvests. Drew Kann, ajc, 28 Aug. 2023 The special menu features Alaska razor clams with cantaloupe and caviar, rabbit with garlic walnut cream and smoked bison osso bucco. Scott McMurren, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2023 Anyone who nibbles on a chunk of contaminated cantaloupe or who handles raw chicken where disease-causing microbes are present are at risk of getting sick. Good Housekeeping, 19 Aug. 2023 Cantaloupe Salad With Arugula and Crispy Prosciutto A ripe melon is great all on its own, but the addition of peppery arugula and crisped prosciutto take this cantaloupe salad to the next level. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 5 June 2023 My doc removed a ton of fibroids that varied in sizes, with the largest about the size of a cantaloupe. Kayla Greaves, Allure, 17 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cantaloupe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Cantalupo, former papal villa near Rome, Italy

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cantaloupe was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near cantaloupe

Cite this Entry

“Cantaloupe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantaloupe. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

cantaloupe

noun
can·​ta·​loupe
variants also cantaloup
: a muskmelon with a hard rough skin and reddish orange flesh

More from Merriam-Webster on cantaloupe

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