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

After longer workout sessions, watermelon, oranges, berries, cucumbers or other water-rich fruits and vegetables also can help hydrate. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 13 June 2026

Casino & Hotel in Philadelphia, a Tempura Crunch Roll with yuzu miso, featuring shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, crispy arare, yuzu and miso glaze. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Rows of fresh vegetables, from cucumbers to kale to basil to arugula, are all grown there, and the kids are responsible for it. —Chris Wragge, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Late June is also a good time to grab cucumbers and apricots from your garden. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 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