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

Under a collection of string lights, the riverine reveller sampled the Oysters Champagne, topped with shishito mignonette, cucumber, and shiso. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

What to serve with pickle dip Set out planks of carrots, cucumbers, and radishes for dunking. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026

The drinks will incorporate tequila, mezcal, sotol (a tradiitional spirit) and ingredients such as coconut, lemongrass, cucumber, hibiscus, piloncillo, cacao and seasonal fruit. — Evan Moore august 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

The presentation was fascinating — from the polka dots and lighting affects to the oversized noses (with Khn’s standing out like a French baguette and Klek’s swinging about like a cucumber taped where the nostrils should go). — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 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