watermelon

[waw-ter-mel-uhn, wot-er-]

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.

watermelon

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of watermelon¹

First recorded in 1605–15; water + melon

Example Sentences

Pictures of the event posted online showed the participants carrying umbrellas painted to look like watermelons, a symbol associated with the Palestinian cause.

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But the star of the show is watermelon.

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Another member of the chat called Black Americans “watermelon people.”

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She and a colleague planted tomatoes, watermelon, okra, red cabbage and onions.

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In a series of leaked text messages, they have openly embraced Adolf Hitler referred to Black people as “monkeys” and “the watermelon people.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• cantaloupe 
• gourd 
• papaya