watermelon
Americannoun
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the large, roundish or elongated fruit of a trailing vine, Citrullus lanata, of the gourd family, having a hard, green rind and a sweet, juicy, usually pink or red pulp.
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the vine itself.
noun
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an African melon, Citrullus vulgaris, widely cultivated for its large edible fruit
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the fruit of this plant, which has a hard green rind and sweet watery reddish flesh
Etymology
Origin of watermelon
Explanation
A watermelon is a plant that grows vines and flowers that ripen into large, juicy fruit also called watermelon. Cold watermelon is delicious at a backyard barbecue. Like squashes and gourds, watermelons grow from long, climbing vines. The deep pink or red flesh of a watermelon, however, is uniquely sweet, juicy, and refreshing. Watermelons are originally native to Africa, and they were brought to North America and cultivated around the 16th century. For many people, it's just not summer without watermelon — the fruit is over 90 percent water, so it's not just delicious, but it also quenches your thirst.
Vocabulary lists containing watermelon
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Watermelon is also packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant associated with reduced oxidative stress and potential heart health benefits.
From Science Daily • May 17, 2026
Watermelon has long been a summer favorite, but research suggests this refreshing fruit may offer benefits far beyond hydration.
From Science Daily • May 17, 2026
Then, in 1949, the same year his son was born, Louis Robles had another idea: Watermelon sales slowed in the winter.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025
This is the spiritual birthplace of the fruity martini — the era of the Appletini, Watermelon Martini, Chocolate Martini, basically any flavor or color you could imagine, bartenders were making a “martini” out of it.
From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025
The standing ovation that he received at the Watermelon Feed wasn’t particularly surprising.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
