plural melons
Synonyms of melonnext
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
3
a
: a surplus of profits available for distribution to stockholders
b
: a financial windfall

Examples of melon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Order the crudo, a cheeseboard to share, the heirloom melon and prosciutto salad, and chicken entrée, along with a bottle of wine to bring back to your tent. Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 In another photo, Electra is seen sitting down to eat in her bold breakfast attire, opting for various fruits, including berries, grapes, melons and Coca-Cola. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The souvenir cups that come with the drinks have to be ordered by January and the three million melon balls are then scooped in the Bronx before being delivered to Flushing Meadows in Queens. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 When melon season is in full swing, questions arise about the blood sugar effects of watermelon and honeydew. Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for melon

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of melon was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Melon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melon. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

: any of various fruits (as a cantaloupe, honeydew melon, or watermelon) of the gourd family that have juicy and usually sweet flesh eaten raw and a firm rind

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