watermelon

American  

[waw-ter-mel-uhn, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌmɛl ən, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

1. 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.

2. the vine itself.

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watermelon British  

/ ˈwɔːtəˌmɛlən /

noun

1. an African melon, Citrullus vulgaris, widely cultivated for its large edible fruit

2. the fruit of this plant, which has a hard green rind and sweet watery reddish flesh

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Etymology

Origin of watermelon

First recorded in 1605–15; water + melon

Example Sentences

“A lot of what we grow are beautiful watermelons, or carrots or tomatoes, and depending on what the price is, people may or may not buy it,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He is also keenly aware that the steeper fuel costs will eventually trickle into the prices consumers pay for goods he is carrying—from tires to watermelon—assuming his business survives.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among her many years toiling in the fields, she cut and packed lettuce, picked cherries and planted watermelon seeds across the Central Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

Brie would want me to tell him he can color his watermelon however he wants.

From Literature

Their waiter Amir, who preferred not to share his last name, ferried packed peach-and-pineapple hookahs and tall glasses of pressed watermelon juice from the cafe’s kitchen to the table.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya