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

Watermelon salad with feta, olives, cucumber, red onion and the Middle Eastern spice blend za’atar is welcome freshness in this heat. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Like cucumber plants, squash will crowd out low strawberry plants, giving them too much shade and competing for nutrients and space. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 July 2026

Wells’s salads combined white peaches, heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers, all hovering at peak summer perfection. — David Hochman, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

By that same definition, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and eggplants are fruits as well. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 July 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