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

Pumpkin-Praline Muffins Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin lend great flavor to these grab-and-go muffins. — Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 6 Sep. 2026

Later this fall, the farm and museum, which still grows corn, pumpkins and sunflowers that are sold at various events, is set to construct an outdoor ceremony space equipped with a pergola that will be made to match the natural wood of the barn. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Rather than making the chili taste like pumpkin, the purée gives it velvety richness, body, and an autumnal hue. — Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Plus, the metallic handle is shaped to look like a pumpkin stem, giving the entire display piece an elegant fall look. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 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