melon
noun
mel·on ˈme-lən 
plural melons
often attributive
1
: any of various typically sweet gourds (such as a muskmelon or watermelon) usually eaten raw as fruits
2
: something rounded like a melon: such as
a
: a rounded organ in the front of the head of some cetaceans and all toothed whales that is composed of lipids and waxy material and is thought to be utilized in echolocation
b
: a person's head
A great afternoon at the park usually meant coming home with blisters on our hands, a bump or two on the melon and the obligatory skinned knee.
Robb Moretti
Robb Moretti3
a
: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders
b
: a financial windfall
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Arugula, cucumber, melon, and cilantro pair perfectly with an easy lime dressing and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 Valencia's Valencia's frozen margs come in regular or jumbo and can be swirled with flavors like pomegranate, melon and peach. Megha Mcswain, Chron, 8 July 2022 Look for notes that run the gamut: herbal, oily, peppery, citrusy, vanilla, woodsy, mineral and floral, as well as some specific fruits like melon. Esther Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2022 Gift-Worthy Dish Soaps Long known for its incredible fragrance blends, this Caldrea dish soap combines extracts of pear blossom and agave with melon and citrus. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 Cutting into an unwashed melon can drag harmful bacteria into the flesh. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 The wine is a terrifically tangy Chenin Blanc with aromas of melon and stone fruit from, South Africa’s Western Cape. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 Complex with rich flavors that include caramel and oranges and a stunning finish that includes golden syrup, slight butterscotch, melon and salt. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 This melon and avocado crudo gets an A+ for not only contrasting sweet and savory but also soft and crunchy. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 15 July 2022 See More
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2022 Valencia's Valencia's frozen margs come in regular or jumbo and can be swirled with flavors like pomegranate, melon and peach. Megha Mcswain, Chron, 8 July 2022 Look for notes that run the gamut: herbal, oily, peppery, citrusy, vanilla, woodsy, mineral and floral, as well as some specific fruits like melon. Esther Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2022 Gift-Worthy Dish Soaps Long known for its incredible fragrance blends, this Caldrea dish soap combines extracts of pear blossom and agave with melon and citrus. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 Cutting into an unwashed melon can drag harmful bacteria into the flesh. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2022 The wine is a terrifically tangy Chenin Blanc with aromas of melon and stone fruit from, South Africa’s Western Cape. Lettie Teague, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 Complex with rich flavors that include caramel and oranges and a stunning finish that includes golden syrup, slight butterscotch, melon and salt. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 This melon and avocado crudo gets an A+ for not only contrasting sweet and savory but also soft and crunchy. Mehreen Karim, Bon Appétit, 15 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin melon-, melo, short for Latin melopepon-, melopepo, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn, an edible gourd — more at pumpkin
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing melon
Kids Definition
melon
noun
mel·on ˈme-lən
: a usually large fruit (as a watermelon or cantaloupe) that grows on a vine and has juicy sweet flesh and a hard rind