watermelon

noun

wa·​ter·​mel·​on ˈwȯ-tər-ˌme-lən 

ˈwä-

1

: a large oblong or roundish fruit with a hard green or white rind often striped or variegated, a sweet watery pink, yellowish, or red pulp, and usually many seeds

2

: a widely cultivated African vine (Citrullus lanatus synonym C. vulgaris) of the gourd family that bears watermelons

Examples of watermelon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike cantaloupes, muskmelons such as honeydew melons and watermelons do not ripen off the vine. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025

That signature creation tops rustic bread with avocado, marinated tomatoes, watermelon radish slices and microgreens. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

The strawberries and watermelon are prepared two ways—puréed and finely chopped—giving the sauce just the right amount of texture. —Derick Wade, Saveur, 15 Oct. 2025

One is too busy trying to expell what feels like a watermelon and wondering how the continuation of human history can have come to depend on such a cruel agonising process. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for watermelon

• endothelin
• gibberellin
• felon
• melon
• snellen
• tellin
• muskmelon

Kids Definition

watermelon

noun

wa·​ter·​mel·​on ˈwȯt-ər-ˌmel-ən 

ˈwät-

1

: a large oblong or rounded fruit with a hard outer shell, a sweet red juicy pulp, and usually many seeds

2

: a widely grown African vine of the gourd family that produces watermelons