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

At Khoja Obi Garm, the food is basic, but the watermelon — a pride of Tajikistan — is plentiful. —Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024

In Iran and many Central Asian countries, people gather to eat (especially red fruits like pomegranates and watermelons), drink and read poetry through the night. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024

In the context of US cultural history, however, watermelon carries different connotations—racist ones. —Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024

During the celebration of Yalda, people eat pomegranates to symbolize protection from evil spirits and watermelon to shield them from both the winter cold and summer heat. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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