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

Mielle Organics Weightless Hair Oil The lightweight hair oil is infused with ingredients like aloe vera and kalahari melon (rich in omega-6), both of which nourish the hair, providing deep hydration, restoring softness, and defining curls. —Claire West, Parents, 28 Feb. 2026

Squash or melons, on the other hand, require consistent monitoring for the ever-likely arrival of squash bugs or squash vine borers, which can quickly decimate the crop if left untreated. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

Try lemons, limes, melons, strawberries, cucumbers, jalapeño slices, or mint leaves for variety. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 25 Feb. 2026

Jalapeño pepper in the dressing gives this melon salad a little zing. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026

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