pumpkin

noun

pump·​kin ˈpəm(p)-kən 

nonstandard

ˈpəŋ-kən 

often attributive

1

a

: a fruit of any of various cultivars of herbaceous plants (Cucurbita pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. ficifolia, and C. argyrosperma) of the gourd family that is typically round and orange but may be another color or shape, that has a hard usually smooth skin with shallow longitudinal grooves, and that is grown for ornamental use or for its fibrous pale flesh used especially in baking or as feed for livestock

b

: any of several annual chiefly trailing American plants that bear pumpkins

2

: a strong orange color

Examples of pumpkin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plants with extensive root systems, like artichokes, asparagus, pumpkins, and melons, grow best with even deeper soil that is 24 to 36 inches deep. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026

The vining plants are members of the Cucurbitaceae or gourd family, which also includes pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

Uncover; skim off/discard any fat that accumulates on the surface, then add the potatoes, yuca, pumpkin, plantains and corn, stirring to distribute evenly. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 22 May 2026

Because pumpkin plants tend to spread so quickly, growing pumpkins on trellises can also save space and simplify harvesting. —Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 21 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier pumpion, modification of French popon, pompon melon, pumpkin, from Latin pepon-, pepo, from Greek pepōn, from pepōn ripened; akin to Greek pessein to cook, ripen — more at cook

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pumpkin

• Japanese pumpkin
• kabocha pumpkin
• kobocha pumpkin
• pumpkin pie spice
• pumpkin spice
• pumpkin-spiced

Rhymes for pumpkin

• bumpkin
• lumpkin

Kids Definition

pumpkin

noun

pump·​kin ˈpəm(p)-kən 

1

: the usually round orange fruit of a vine of the gourd family widely used as food

also : a fruit (as a crookneck squash) of a closely related vine

2

: a usually hairy prickly vine that produces pumpkins

3

: a strong orange color

Medical Definition

pumpkin

noun

pump·​kin ˈpəm(p)-kən 

: the usually round orange fruit of a vine (Cucurbita pepo) of the gourd family that is widely cultivated as food and is the source of pepo