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 selections on this culinary choose-your-own adventure — many of which are vegetarian or vegan — include carrots, green beans, smokey Lima beans, collards and broccoli salad or cucumber salad. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026

At one end of the greenhouse, 60-inch bean towers were set up to support the growing vines of cucumbers. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 12 Jan. 2026

Made with cucumbers, blueberries, and peaches dressed in a light orange vinaigrette, this salad is a sleeper hit. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 12 Jan. 2026

He zebra-ed the cucumber, using a vegetable peeler to remove strips of peel alternating with unpeeled strips. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 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