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

At Lotus, the dinner menu always highlighted a superb selection of sushi, such as tai snapper umaki roll with avocado, cucumber, and pickled daikon, as well as outstanding small plates and snacks. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025

Residents of Riverdale, New York, can receive fresh, free produce — including pineapples, peppers, cucumbers, and other essentials — every other Friday through the grassroots organization KRVC. —Ronny Maye, Essence, 31 Oct. 2025

Also, a through-line of the episode is that one of the stews discovered that someone had packed and brought a cucumber with them, the reason for which remains a mystery. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

To stay properly hydrated, aim to drink somewhere between two to three liters, or 8 to 12 cups, of water each day, along with hydrating fruits and vegetables like cucumber and watermelon. —Beth Krietsch, Outside, 25 Oct. 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