melon

noun

mel·​on ˈme-lən How to pronounce melon (audio)
plural melons
often attributive
1
: any of various typically sweet gourds (such as a muskmelon or watermelon) usually eaten raw as fruits
2
: something rounded like a melon: such as
a
: a rounded organ in the front of the head of some cetaceans and all toothed whales that is composed of lipids and waxy material and is thought to be utilized in echolocation
b
: a person's head
A great afternoon at the park usually meant coming home with blisters on our hands, a bump or two on the melon and the obligatory skinned knee.Robb Moretti
3
a
: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders
b
: a financial windfall

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web As there is only one melon per stem, opposed to one stem bearing multiple pieces of fruit, all the water content is concentrated into each precious piece of fruit. William Li, Town & Country, 7 Mar. 2023 Tasting notes include ripe fruit and peat smoke on the palate followed by stone fruit, melon and charred heather. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Feb. 2023 The electrolyte packets also come in a variety of flavors including grape, raspberry lemonade, orange, peach, and strawberry melon so there’s sure to be something that suits your taste. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2023 So snack on extra veggies with salsa, add extra tomatoes to a salad, and get generous with your serving sizes of berries, citrus, melon, grapes and other fruits. Good Housekeeping, 6 Jan. 2023 Boasting notes of tuberose, bergamot, melon, and ylang-ylang. Julie Tong, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2022 This is a perfect pre-dinner drink or an ideal match for fish, roasted poultry, or other food thanks to its zippy acidity, white flower, melon, and apple notes. Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 15 Nov. 2022 Students use school garden produce including tomatoes, melon, plums and mint in their dishes. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2022 The blast tore a crater in Vitalii's skull that is as deep and broad as half a melon. Hanna Arhirova, ajc, 15 Jan. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin melon-, melo, short for Latin melopepon-, melopepo, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn, an edible gourd — more at pumpkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near melon

Cite this Entry

“Melon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melon. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

melon

noun
mel·​on ˈmel-ən How to pronounce melon (audio)
: any of various fruits (as a cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon) of the gourd family that have juicy and usually sweet flesh eaten raw and a firm rind

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