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

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

Choose between the new $6 Sleigh All Day Rita—a margarita with Teremana Tequila Blanco, blue curaçao, melon liqueur, lime, and pineapple juice—and the returning $6 Tipsy Reindeer—holiday punch with Smirnoff Vodka, cranberry, grenadine, and lemon sour. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 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

For firm produce like melons or cucumbers, using a clean brush can help remove dirt and bacteria from the surface. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 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