lemon

noun lem·on \ ˈle-mən \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of lemon

1 a : an acid fruit that is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry produced by a small thorny citrus tree (Citrus limon) and that has a rind from which an aromatic oil is extracted

b : a tree that bears lemons

2 : something (such as an automobile) that is unsatisfactory or defective

See lemon defined for English-language learners

See lemon defined for kids

Examples of lemon in a Sentence

The recipe calls for the juice of two lemons.
Garnish it with a slice of lemon.
Our new car is a lemon.

Recent Examples of lemon from the Web

Grill lemons, cut sides down, until charred, about 2 minutes.

— kristina kurek, Country Living, "Vegetable Kebabs with Lemon-Scallion Vinaigrette," 13 June 2018
The selection available in this plant are fun: lemon, rose, peppermint, pine, cinnamon, clove, chocolate mint, strawberry and more.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Stop and smell the roses — or chocolate cosmos. These plants make your garden smell as good as it looks.," 11 June 2018
Blueberries play well with many flavors, including lemon, orange, pecan, lavender, basil and goat cheese.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Little blue dynamos,' blueberries pack in flavor and nutrients," 11 June 2018
Add-ins to have on hand include lime juice and zest, cilantro, lemon, red onions, a drizzle of vinegar, and chiles (like jalapeños).

— rochelle bilow, Bon Appetit, "Avocado Common Mistakes to Avoid, So You Can Enjoy the World's Most Perfect Food," 11 June 2018
Visit the bar for a Smoky Stinger (mescal with bitters, lemon and honey) or the ever-popular EpiPen (whiskey, honey, bitters and soda).

— nathan hurst, San Francisco Chronicle, "Monterey is California’s honey hub," 30 May 2018
Viewers must decide if everyday foodstuffs, such as tomatoes, lemons, eggs and broccoli are classed as acidic or alkaline.

— casey quackenbush, Time, "Google Doodle Celebrates S.P.L. Sørensen, the Trailblazing Chemist Behind the pH Scale," 29 May 2018
What's more: Their lemon-and-elderflower cake with buttercream icing was baked by Claire Ptak, of Violet bakery—an American, not a British, baker based in London.

— jennifer lance, Glamour, "All the Ways Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are Breaking Royal Wedding Traditions," 19 May 2018
Despite being made with lemons, Meghan and Harry's cake doesn't quite make the cut.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Broke a Ton of Major Royal Wedding-Day Traditions," 19 May 2018

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

Illustration of lemon

Origin and Etymology of lemon

Middle English lymon, from Middle French limon, from Medieval Latin limon-, limo, from Arabic laymūn, līmūn, from Persian līmū, līmun

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

lemon Synonyms

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

lemon

adjective

Definition of lemon

1 : of the color lemon yellow

2 a : containing lemon

b : having the flavor or scent of lemon

Recent Examples of lemon from the Web

Make LEMON PUDDING (from a mix) with 1 percent milk for dessert.

— susan nicholson, Twin Cities, "7-day menu planner: For easy entertaining, try this linguine dish," 16 Apr. 2017
Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic .5 oz. Lemon juice 4 oz.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "This Holiday Cocktail Recipe Honors 170 Years of T&C," 18 Dec. 2015

First Known Use of lemon

1598

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Financial Definition of LEMON

lemon

noun

What It Is

A lemon is an item whose defects were not outwardly apparent at the time that it was sold to a consumer. ”Lemon” has typically referred to a defective new car but its current application has become more widespread.

How It Works

What constitutes a lemon? Using the example of a car, any new vehicle that has a substantial and/or continuous problem that isn't fixed within a reasonable number of attempts, or that has had a certain number of days out of service or in repair. The legal definition according to many state statutes is as follows: 1) a new car can not be fixed for a substantial defect within four attempts; or 2) a safety defect can not be fixed within two attempts; or 3) the car is out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000 miles and/or the first 12 or 24 months of purchase., Under these conditions, the consumer may be entitled to a remedy from the manufacturer of either cash or a replacement car.

Federal and state laws to protect the consumer have been passed in response to the alleged proliferation of defective cars. The consumer is protected by three types of laws: The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, The Uniform Commercial Code, and various state laws.

Why It Matters

The consumer is armed with legislation to support his efforts to secure either a refund or replacement for his defective purchase. Aware of these rights, he can confidently assert his position when faced with a new vehicle (or other product) that is consistently needing repair.

Source: Investing Answers

LEMON Defined for English Language Learners

lemon

noun

Definition of lemon for English Language Learners

: a yellow citrus fruit that has a sour taste
: a bright yellow color
: a product that is not made well : a product that does not work the way it should

LEMON Defined for Kids

lemon

noun lem·on \ ˈle-mən \

Definition of lemon for Students

1 : an oval yellow fruit with a sour juice that is related to the orange and grows on a small spiny tree

2 : something unsatisfactory : dud The used car was a lemon.

Medical Dictionary

lemon

noun lem·on \ ˈlem-ən \

medical Definition of lemon

: an acid fruit that contains citric acid and vitamin C, is botanically a many-seeded pale yellow oblong berry, and is produced by a small thorny tree of the genus Citrus (C. limon); also : this tree

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