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

Kokedama is the Japanese style of potting plants by encasing the root in a ball of soil and clay which is covered in moss—picture a cantaloupe dressed as a Chia Pet. —Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025

The buffet was cited after cooked rice, noodles, cantaloupe and flan measured at unsafe temperatures. —Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Unlike cantaloupes, muskmelons such as honeydew melons and watermelons do not ripen off the vine. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025

Most people can safely add cantaloupe to their eating plans. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 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