melon

American  

[mel-uhn] / ˈmɛl ən /

noun

1. the fruit of any of various plants of the gourd family, as the muskmelon or watermelon.

2. medium crimson or deep pink.

3. the visible upper portion of the head of a surfacing whale or dolphin, including the beak, eyes, and blowhole.

4. Informal.

   1. a large extra dividend, often in the form of stock, to be distributed to stockholders.

      Profits zoomed so in the last quarter that the corporation cut a nice melon.

   2. any windfall of money to be divided among specified participants.

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melon British  

/ ˈmɛlən /

noun

1. any of several varieties of two cucurbitaceous vines, cultivated for their edible fruit See muskmelon watermelon

2. the fruit of any of these plants, which has a hard rind and juicy flesh

3. slang  to declare an abnormally high dividend to shareholders

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Etymology

Origin of melon

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin mēlōn- (stem of mēlō ), short for mēlopepō < Greek mēlopépōn apple-shaped melon, equivalent to mêlo ( n ) apple + pépōn pepo

Example Sentences

They worked a week picking melons, got their $600 paycheck and never returned.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s particularly interested in cucumber melons, which are genetically closer to a cantaloupe or honeydew than a cucumber.

From New York Times

The blast tore a crater in Vitalii’s skull that is as deep and broad as half a melon.

From Seattle Times

She wrote my next Tweet: "My name is Elon. I like melon. Also, I like giant melon."

From Salon

The best boxed wine in our tasting, this is a good patio sipper with melon and tropical fruits to balance the grapefruit bitters with some mineral on the finish.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya
• watermelon