cantaloupe

Or can·ta·loup

[kan-tl-ohp]

noun

1. a variety of melon, Cucumis melo cantalupensis, of the gourd family, having a hard scaly or warty rind, grown in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

2. a muskmelon having a reticulated rind and pale-orange flesh.

cantaloupe

/ ˈkæntəˌluːp /

noun

1. a cultivated variety of muskmelon, Cucumis melo cantalupensis, with ribbed warty rind and orange flesh

2. any of several other muskmelons

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantaloupe¹

First recorded in 1730–40; from French, allegedly after Cantaluppi, a papal estate near Rome where cultivation of this melon is said to have begun in Europe, though a comparable Italian word is not attested until much later than the French word, and Cantaloup, a village in Languedoc, has also been proposed as the source

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantaloupe¹

C18: from French, from Cantaluppi, former papal villa near Rome, where it was first cultivated in Europe

Example Sentences

He and about 18 classmates from University of San Diego High spent six weeks picking cantaloupes in Blythe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the mid-1980s, when he managed cantaloupe fields, federal government pilots would fly small planes over the state’s cropland looking for large crews of workers, he recalled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the relationships either fade or split open like cantaloupe dropped on hot pavement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Blistering summer heat and earlier, warmer springs have wiped out crops, including several plots of tomatoes, peppers, and cantaloupes.

Read more on Salon

This shows plenty of nutty character on the palate, with green herbs and shades of cantaloupe.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• melon 

When To Use

What is a cantaloupe?

A cantaloupe is an edible member of the gourd family known for its orange, sweet flesh and hard, scaly outer rind. Its scientific name is Cucumis melo cantalupensis and is sold mainly in Europe.A cantaloupe is also a type of muskmelon, with pale orange flesh and a rough, reticulated rind. That is, the rind has veins that look like the threads of a net. Its scientific name is Cucumis melo reticulatus and is sold mainly in the United States. Cucumis melo reticulatus is considered less sweet and more juice filled than Cucumis melo cantalupensis.Example: I made a melon salad with watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew for the pool party.