cantaloupe

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

variants: or less commonly cantaloup

Updated on: 13 Apr 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

Avocados lead 2018's clean fruits and veggies list, followed by sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwi, cantaloupe, cauliflower and broccoli.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Strawberries again top 2018's 'Dirty Dozen' fruits and veggies," 10 Apr. 2018
Through a Twitter update with the help of his nifty baby size-to-produce conversion, Baby Earnhardt is now the size of a large cantaloupe.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Dale Earnhardt Jr. baby update: His daughter is now the size of a large cantaloupe," 10 Apr. 2018
Luckily, the cantaloupe-size species survived on the island of Tasmania, and in 2012, several bettongs were reintroduced to Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary near Canberra.

— National Geographic, "Meet Brian the Rescued 'Mini-Kangaroo'," 5 Apr. 2018
First up, breakfast in bed: an egg-white omelette and a fruit salad of strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple delivered by Caroline, 11, Hanover’s daughter with her estranged husband, New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

— anne-marie o'neill, PEOPLE.com, "From the Archives: How Rudy Giuliani and Judith Nathan Started Their Marriage by Ending Another," 4 Apr. 2018
Strictly row crops of cotton, cantaloupe and wheat.

— bud shaw, cleveland.com, "Wyoming QB Josh Allen is a small town guy with a big-time arm -- Bud Shaw," 2 Apr. 2018
The clerk would then fill a shopping bag and customers would simply smile and pay—no impulse shopping, no perusing through the aisles looking for dinner inspiration, no picking the perfect cantaloupe.

— Southern Living, "How Piggly Wiggly Created The First Modern Grocery Store," 28 Mar. 2018
Neither the overripe cantaloupe on my counter nor the rotting soul of the American electorate had any comment.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Trump Goes Full ‘MAGA’: Calls Maxine Waters ‘Low IQ,’ Shades Oprah, Suggests Killing Drug Dealers and More," 11 Mar. 2018
Cloudy-dandelion in color, the Lapati Kidev Erti Chinuri smells and tastes like orange trees in the spring with wafts of cantaloupe, honey, and fresh laundry.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "7 Wild Wines from Central & Eastern Europe You Need to Czech Out Now," 20 Feb. 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

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Definition of cantaloupe for English Language Learners

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Definition of cantaloupe for English Language Learners

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