cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family cultivated as a garden vegetable

also : this vine

Illustration of cucumber

Examples of cucumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Toppings include red cabbage salad, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, dill pickles, roasted red pepper, quinoa and corn, along with feta and red feta. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025

Georgieva said this meal can be easily switched to whole-grain pasta with extra-lean ground turkey, tomato sauce and a side salad made up of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, olive oil and vinegar. —Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025

Stir in Pimm’s and remaining oranges, cucumbers, and strawberries. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025

Their diet should mostly comprise leafy greens, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, and a little fruit. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucumbre, from Latin cucumer-, cucumis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cucumber

• cucumber mosaic
• cucumber tree
• sea cucumber
• spotted cucumber beetle
• squirting cucumber

Kids Definition

cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the long fleshy usually many-seeded green-skinned fruit of a vine of the gourd family that is grown as a garden vegetable

also : this vine

Medical Definition

cucumber

noun

cu·​cum·​ber ˈkyü-(ˌ)kəm-bər 

: the fruit of a vine (Cucumis sativus) of the gourd family that is cultivated as a garden vegetable and that has diuretic seeds

also : this vine