cantaloupe

noun

can·​ta·​loupe ˈkan-tə-ˌlōp 

 also  -ˌlüp

variants or less commonly cantaloup

1

: a small widely cultivated muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) with a heavily netted rind and usually orange flesh

broadly : muskmelon sense a

2

: a muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) with a rough hard warty rind that is not usually grown in North America

Examples of cantaloupe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That could mean a summer salad of cucumbers, tomatoes and peaches in a pickled pepper vinaigrette, or a plate of cantaloupe and smoked country ham drizzled with aged balsamic that is equally stunning and restrained. —Matthew Odam, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024

Once a cantaloupe is cut, the clock starts ticking. —Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 28 July 2024

Boar's Head, generally considered a premiere deli meat brand, continues to grapple with a listeria outbreak − the largest since the cantaloupe outbreak of 2011 − that has left 10 dead. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 4 Oct. 2024

Kandy's cantaloupe products were removed due to potential contamination with salmonella. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Cantalupo, former papal villa near Rome, Italy

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cantaloupe

noun

can·​ta·​loupe

variants also cantaloup

ˈkant-ᵊl-ˌōp 

: a muskmelon with a hard rough skin and reddish orange flesh