honeydew

noun hon·ey·dew \ ˈhə-nē-ˌdü , -ˌdyü \

Updated on: 28 Mar 2018

Definition of honeydew

1 : a saccharine deposit secreted on the leaves of plants usually by aphids or scale insects or sometimes by a fungus

2 : honeydew melon

Recent Examples of honeydew from the Web

Fruit cup: Cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, strawberries and blueberries.

— kirkland crawford, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' new food at Comerica Park: Nacho Burger, Wet Burrito," 22 Mar. 2018
In blender, puree honeydew until smooth; transfer to large cocktail shaker along with tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and agave syrup.

— katie lee, Good Housekeeping, "Honeydew Margarita," 19 May 2017
This energy rich food source provides an opportunity for fungi called sooty mold to grow on the honeydew.

— dan gill, NOLA.com, "How to treat aphids on ornamental plants," 10 Mar. 2018
This carbonated blend of Trebbiano, Glera and Chardonnay is bright with honeydew and lemon, recalling a focused, precise expression of Prosecco.

— esther mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tasting notes: Canned wine," 24 Jan. 2018
Ants often farm the insects for their honeydew and will defend them from natural predators.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "What’s bugging his tree?," 22 Dec. 2017
Bright but golden yellow, this wine smells like briny honeydew served on a bed of gardenias.

— marissa a. ross, Bon Appetit, "10 of My Favorite Wines of 2017," 11 Dec. 2017
In return for protecting these pests from predators, the ants consume the sugary fluid called honeydew, discharged by the insects.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nasty little yellow ant establishes first U.S. colonies in Fort Lauderdale," 2 Nov. 2017
Eat this before summer is gone: chunks of ambrosial honeydew and watermelon tossed with snappy string and shell beans, tiny black lentils, and showered with crumbles of briny feta.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "The rural fantasy of Blue Door Farm Stand," 24 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'honeydew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of honeydew

1526

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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