cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family cultivated as a garden vegetable

also : this vine

Illustration of cucumber

Examples of cucumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some varieties of cucumbers offer resistance to the disease and should be your first line of defense. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026

Lay tomato and cucumber slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. —Midwest Living, 15 May 2026

Neighboring Plants Avoid planting members of the cabbage family, tall corn plants, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes next to tomatoes. —Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 May 2026

How to Store Leftover cucumber salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. —Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucumbre, from Latin cucumer-, cucumis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cucumber

• cucumber mosaic
• cucumber tree
• sea cucumber
• spotted cucumber beetle
• squirting cucumber

Kids Definition

cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the long fleshy usually many-seeded green-skinned fruit of a vine of the gourd family that is grown as a garden vegetable

also : this vine

Medical Definition

cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family that is cultivated as a garden vegetable and that has diuretic seeds

also : this vine