melon

noun

mel·​on ˈme-lən 

plural melons

often attributive

1

: any of various typically sweet gourds (such as a muskmelon or watermelon) usually eaten raw as fruits

2

: something rounded like a melon: such as

a

: a rounded organ in the front of the head of some cetaceans and all toothed whales that is composed of lipids and waxy material and is thought to be utilized in echolocation

b

: a person's head

A great afternoon at the park usually meant coming home with blisters on our hands, a bump or two on the melon and the obligatory skinned knee.

—Robb Moretti

3

a

: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders

b

: a financial windfall

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Atwater Vineyards Dry Riesling – A hidden gem from upstate New York, this Riesling has hints of melon, green apple and citrus, with just a kiss of oak. —Bychris Morris, Fortune, 1 Dec. 2024

Dessert was a slice of white melon known as branco do Ribatejo, which was served with a free shot of a homemade herbal liqueur from an unmarked bottle and a thumbs-up from Carla’s father, Amérigo. —Austin Bush, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2024

Bright, medium deep yellow; lovely aromas of lemon peel, melon, jasmine and magnolia. —Tom Hyland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Cut melons, meanwhile, can be a common breeding ground for pathogens, especially if they’re left sitting out. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin melon-, melo, short for Latin melopepon-, melopepo, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn, an edible gourd — more at pumpkin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melon

• honeydew melon
• melon baller
• winter melon

Kids Definition

melon

noun

mel·​on ˈmel-ən 

: any of various fruits (as a cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon) of the gourd family that have juicy and usually sweet flesh eaten raw and a firm rind