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

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cucumbers, beans, small squash and melon plants, annual herbs, determinate tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, lettuce, leafy greens, and annual flowers like cosmos and zinnias are just some of the plants that can grow in straw bale gardens. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025 Firm produce such as carrots, cucumbers, melons and potatoes can be scrubbed with a clean vegetable brush under running water, the FDA says. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 This delicious fruit is a cousin to the melon family. Lauren Manaker Ms, Health, 19 Sep. 2025 The truck driver abruptly stopped, causing rotten melons and other fruit to catapult from it. Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for melon

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Melon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melon. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on melon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!