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

Crunchy cucumbers, creamy avocado, and salty feta round out the dish. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026

Gary and Kaye Gee started by commercially growing cucumbers and peppers before transitioning to nursery stock. —Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Their hardiness suits confined spaces, and their blooms can attract beneficial insects that aid in pollinating vegetables like cucumbers and peppers. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026

Swipe it through the hummus, balanced in tahini and lemon, and mulchy muhammara twanging with pomegranate molasses, and casik, the Turkish variation of the region’s ubiquitous herbed yogurt and cucumber dip. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 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