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

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.

Example Sentences

"I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect you to be this easy to talk to," a watermelon woman tells her dragon-fruit date over their corresponding fruit cocktails at sunset.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

There's also Watermelina, a watermelon, a banana named Bananito, and Cherrita, who is a cherry.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Ernesto leaned over the flatbed and ate the watermelon with his hands, piece by piece, until the box was empty.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2026

They still had to fan out in the fields to pick up the other varieties of watermelon, but this time without the machine, which is used only for the smaller fruit.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025

I drop the napkin and the watermelon slice.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya