melon

noun

mel·​on ˈme-lən 

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

Synonyms of melon

• head
• skull
• bean
• noodle
• pate
• dome
• noggin

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lime juice and hibiscus tea bring some tang while the prickly pear syrups adds a sweet touch with a melon-berry sweetness. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2025

Eleven Madison Park alum chef Brian Lockwood serves up dishes like caviar-flecked cauliflower chawanmushi and an umami bomb of a Jonah crab salad infused with horseradish, miso, and melon. —Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2025

Apple paste, melon, mango, and pineapple are dotted with almonds, chia seeds, and puffed quinoa for a chewy, fruity bite with a surprising crunch. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Nov. 2025

Cocktails include Dark Tide (warm red wine infused with spices and citrus), Seasick Crocodile (melon, coconut, and banana liqueurs with orange and pineapple juices), Blackbeard’s Brew (rich, velvety espresso martini made with Titos, Kahlua, and La Colombe cold brew) and more. —Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025

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

Phrases Containing melon

• honeydew melon
• melon baller
• winter melon

Rhymes for melon

• felon
• snellen
• tellin
• endothelin
• gibberellin
• watermelon
• muskmelon

Kids Definition

melon

noun

mel·​on ˈmel-ən 

: 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