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

Harry's lawsuits are a bit like a royal garden party, occasional and well-mannered with, cucumber sandwiches. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Try tossing them with cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes, and feta-style tofu. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2025

For example, try cutting your strawberries into roses or shaping your carrots and cucumbers into little flowers and stars. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2025

The coconut-curry sauce was rich and creamy, served with basmati rice, cucumber sambal and butter roti on the side (perfect for dipping). —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 25 Nov. 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