pumpkin

American  

[puhmp-kin, puhng-kin] / ˈpʌmp kɪn, ˈpʌŋ kɪn /

noun

1. a large, edible, orange-yellow fruit borne by a coarse, decumbent vine, Cucurbita pepo, of the gourd family.

2. the similar fruit of any of several related species, as C. maxima or C. moschata.

3. a plant bearing such fruit.

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pumpkin British  

/ ˈpʌmpkɪn /

noun

1. any of several creeping cucurbitaceous plants of the genus Cucurbita, esp C. pepo of North America and C. maxima of Europe

2. 1. the large round fruit of any of these plants, which has a thick orange rind, pulpy flesh, and numerous seeds

   2. ( as modifier )

      pumpkin pie

3. (often capital) a term of endearment

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Etymology

Origin of pumpkin

1640–50; alteration of pumpion ( -kin ), variant of pompon < Middle French, nasalized variant of popon melon, earlier pepon < Latin pepōn- (stem of pepō ) < Greek pépōn kind of melon

Example Sentences

He knows people may balk at $16 bottles of pumpkin milk.

From The Wall Street Journal

For years, neighbors have come to pray at the chapel and purchase the sisters’ renowned pumpkin bread and candy.

From Los Angeles Times

Much of the spice’s charm is overshadowed by an ever-popular pumpkin spice craze, which peaks like clockwork at the start of autumn.

From Salon

Not only is it real, Indiana is the rare Cinderella whose carriage didn’t turn back into a pumpkin.

From The Wall Street Journal

The whole city of Chicago seemed suddenly to overflow with orange pumpkins and tart apples.

From Literature

Related Words

• fruit
• squash