muskmelon

[ muhsk-mel-uhn ]

noun

1. a round or oblong melon, occurring in many varieties, having a juicy, often aromatic, sweet, yellow, white, or green, edible flesh.
2. the plant, Cucumis melo reticulatus, of the gourd family, bearing this fruit.
3. cantaloupe ( def 1 ).

muskmelon

/ ˈmʌskˌmɛlən /

noun

1. any of several varieties of the melon Cucumis melo, such as the cantaloupe and honeydew
2. the fruit of any of these melons, having ribbed or warty rind and sweet yellow, white, or green flesh with a musky aroma

Word History and Origins

Origin of muskmelon¹

First recorded in 1565–75; musk + melon

Example Sentences

The drink is made by combining fruit-flavored sodas, ranging from lemon-flavored to muskmelon, and a splash of milk.

From Salon

Strawberries, cantaloupe and muskmelon aromas characterize this wine, which almost seems like a farmers market in a glass.

From Washington Post

Oka, for example, is a muskmelon bred around 1912 by a priest at a Montreal monastery.

From Washington Post

The most common melon experience for most is of the “cantaloupe,” which is not a true cantaloupe, as Goldman reminds us, but a muskmelon, distinguished by the netting or reticulation that develops into a corky web as the fruit ripens.

From Washington Post

Back through the vegetable garden he went, and he paused for a moment to smash a green muskmelon with his heel, but he was not happy about it.

From Literature