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 Sol Beso Facial, which is ideal for after sun care, uses fresh cucumbers to cleanse the face, papaya and rice to exfoliate, as well as aloe vera to soothe and hydrate. —Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

During lacto-fermentation, cucumbers or olives are soaked in a saltwater brine, where naturally occurring bacteria, specifically lactic acid bacteria (LAB), consume the food’s natural sugars and produce lactic acid. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Aug. 2025

Make cucumbers the centerpiece of a salad by adding fresh dill and a creamy dressing (such as ranch). —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 4 Aug. 2025

Alem and Schneider arrived at their farm plot in Bronzeville in broad-brimmed hats and sturdy boots, ready to harvest zucchini and cucumber under a blazing summer sun. —Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 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