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

Inside, plants, including cucumbers, mini bell peppers, radishes, beets, spinach and lettuce, are thriving inside a grow tent. —Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025

Ahi, salmon and yellowtail lay atop a bowl of sticky rice with a large helping of cucumbers, seaweed and crab salads. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 27 June 2025

In June, barbecue foods and accessories began rising up shopping lists including cucumbers, mangoes, and water-resistant sunscreen as well as grill-cleaning brushes and digital meat thermometers. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 June 2025

Brands like Hendrick’s (with its cucumber and rose) or The Botanist (with its 22 botanicals) fall into this category. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

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