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

The company currently grows sunflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes and alfalfa on the land. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

So in some areas, Gaza was once self-sufficient, in terms of producing olive oil, olives, zucchini, eggplants, cucumbers, and peppers, and of course tomatoes. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Penne with Lentils and Feta Hearty and wholesome, this picnic pasta salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lentils, salty cheese, and parsley, all cloaked in a light and bright red wine vinaigrette. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 Sep. 2026

Their poke bowls offer two choices of protein with a base of crab mix, cucumber, corn, carrot, edamame with other toppings and sauce of choice. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 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