cucurbit

noun

cu·​cur·​bit kyü-ˈkər-bət How to pronounce cucurbit (audio)
1
: a vessel or flask for distillation used with or forming part of an alembic
2
: a plant of the gourd family

Examples of cucurbit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unsurprisingly, pumpkins belong to the cucurbits family—which is just a fancy name for squashes and gourds and also includes other edible favorites like zucchini, cucumbers, and watermelons. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2024 Loaded with vitamins and high in fiber, these decadent cucurbits will keep whole in storage for months. Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024 If your cucurbit plants have started to wilt, closely inspect the base of the plant stems for borer holes. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2024 Like green beans, members of the cucurbit family (related to squash) love a trellis, stake, or something to crawl up. Katie Boué, Outside Online, 5 Aug. 2024 Squash vine borers also target cucurbit crops, but vine borers are moths with orange bodies and black wings. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2024 Powdery mildew is a very common disease of cucurbits. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2024 Squash bugs transmit bacteria that cause cucurbit yellow vine disease. Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024 Marking the first time the fair had been held outside of its usual locale in Sonoma County, visitors were greeted by a towering pyramid of cucurbits of all shapes, colors, and sizes—a kaleidoscope of yellows and oranges announcing the arrival of fall in all its glory. Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cucurbite, from Anglo-French, from Latin cucurbita gourd

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cucurbit was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cucurbit

Cite this Entry

“Cucurbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cucurbit. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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