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

Gently rub the cucumber while holding it under plain, cool running tap water. —Christine Fiorentino, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025

And in summer, a panzanella tossed heirloom tomatoes and juicy cucumbers in a roasted tomato vinaigrette. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

Pickles are a popular snack made from cucumbers preserved in a salty water or vinegar solution. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2025

The stainless steel attachment includes a slicing blade, medium shredding blade, and coarse shredding blade that works exceptionally well for thinly slicing vegetables like cucumbers or zucchini, shredding cheese, and cutting firmer foods like potatoes or carrots. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 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