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

Every dish is a highlight from the baba ganoush with curry leaf oil and pine nuts to cucumbers with tahini and chilli cucumber chilli to Jerusalem artichokes, ras el hanout and miso. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Toss together salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs, lemon juice, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until evenly coated. —Liz Mervosh, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025

Monday April 7, Chicken Feta Salad with cranberries, walnuts, garbanzo beans, tomato and cucumber, tropical fruit, whole grain roll, milk. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025

Assemble Wraps Serve meatballs in lettuce leaves with cucumber, basil, mint, cilantro, red onion, and the remaining carrot mixture. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 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