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

Toss together lettuce, sugar snap peas, cabbage, cucumbers, and mint in a large bowl with about half of the dressing until evenly coated. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025

Stir in tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella and remaining ¼ cup pine nuts. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

The Rooftop is an indoor-outdoor bar located on the 6th floor that offers thematic cocktails, like the Shark Bite (crafted from ghost pepper tequila, cucumber, watermelon, lime, and tajin). —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025

Alternatively, plant three cucumber plants or one squash plant or five cilantro plants. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 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