cantaloupe

noun

can·​ta·​loupe ˈkan-tə-ˌlōp 

 also  -ˌlüp

variants or less commonly cantaloup

1

: a small widely cultivated muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) with a heavily netted rind and usually orange flesh

broadly : muskmelon sense a

2

: a muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. 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

Growing nasturtiums near watermelons, honeydews, cantaloupes, and other melons can attract pollinators to melon flowers, ensuring a bigger harvest of fruit. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025

Grapefruit would be excellent with a bit of salt, as would cantaloupe and green apples. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

Honeydew, cantaloupe and edamame in the restaurant’s buffet did not have a time expiration label. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The normally thick horizon haze could attenuate and redden the sun's light somewhat giving it the appearance of a narrow slice of cantaloupe melon. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Cantalupo, former papal villa near Rome, Italy

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cantaloupe

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• microscope
• misanthrope
• pericope

Kids Definition

cantaloupe

noun

can·​ta·​loupe

variants also cantaloup

ˈkant-ᵊl-ˌōp 

: a muskmelon with a hard rough skin and reddish orange flesh