honeydew

noun

hon·​ey·​dew ˈhə-nē-ˌdü How to pronounce honeydew (audio)
-ˌdyü
1
: a saccharine deposit secreted on the leaves of plants usually by aphids or scale insects or sometimes by a fungus
2

Examples of honeydew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Mixed Melon Granita with Rosewater and Pistachios Use cantaloupe, honeydew or Charentais melons for this simple granita, which requires no cooking. Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025 That includes the Dew Index, a surprisingly delicate cocktail made with cognac, ginger liqueur, blanc vermouth, yuzu curaçao, and honeydew. Ellen Carpenter, AFAR Media, 2 July 2025 Due to nymph feeding patterns, honeydew may be found on nearby plants and other surfaces through the spring, which could attract other insects, such as wasps and butterflies. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025 Any sooty mold and the shiny leaves from the honeydew produced by the scales should gradually disappear. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for honeydew

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of honeydew was in 1526

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Cite this Entry

“Honeydew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honeydew. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

honeydew

noun
hon·​ey·​dew ˈhən-ē-ˌd(y)ü How to pronounce honeydew (audio)
1
: a sugary substance deposited on the leaves of plants usually by aphids or scale insects or sometimes by a fungus
2

More from Merriam-Webster on honeydew

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