melon

[ mel-uhn ]

noun

1. the fruit of any of various plants of the gourd family, as the muskmelon or watermelon.
2. medium crimson or deep pink.
3. the visible upper portion of the head of a surfacing whale or dolphin, including the beak, eyes, and blowhole.
4. Informal.
   1. a large extra dividend, often in the form of stock, to be distributed to stockholders:

      Profits zoomed so in the last quarter that the corporation cut a nice melon.

   2. any windfall of money to be divided among specified participants.

melon

/ ˈmɛlən /

noun

1. any of several varieties of two cucurbitaceous vines, cultivated for their edible fruit See muskmelon watermelon
2. the fruit of any of these plants, which has a hard rind and juicy flesh
3. cut a melon slang.
   to declare an abnormally high dividend to shareholders

Word History and Origins

Origin of melon¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin mēlōn- (stem of mēlō ), short for mēlopepō < Greek mēlopépōn apple-shaped melon, equivalent to mêlo ( n ) apple + pépōn pepo

Word History and Origins

Origin of melon¹

C14: via Old French from Late Latin mēlo, shortened form of mēlopepō, from Greek mēlopepōn, from mēlon apple + pepōn gourd

Example Sentences

In 10 to 12 days, adults surface to feast for roughly 90 days on honeydew melon, decaying fruit, plant nectar and bird dung.

From Los Angeles Times

"It was terrifying, but ultimately it was a very beautiful, intimate scene to shoot and thank God she has such a nicely shaped melon."

From BBC

It includes recipes for meyer lemon and bay leaf gelato, jasmine-scented almond milk mousse and fruit pudding made from white melon and orange blossom.

From Salon

The speared trio of green honeydew melons — shaped to resemble tennis balls — is the most obvious giveaway, as is the complimentary plastic cup the drink comes in.

From Salon

Pelosi made the comments to reporters after speaking at the California delegation’s breakfast meeting in a hotel ballroom, over muffins, melon and eggs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• papaya
• watermelon