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.
Lagar de Fornelos 2021 Lindeiros has aromas of jasmine, honeydew melon, and green apple with flavors of melon, apple, and peach accented by bracing minerality and a saline finish. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 The Aegean Dragon maki ($23), for example, combines shrimp tempura with criollo relish and harissa, while the Kataifi ($33) wraps tuna and melon in shredded pastry. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Use it to brighten a melon salad, dress roasted peppers, bring a little sweetness to a pan sauce without turning everything brown, or to make a sweet-and-tangy custard for a fruit tart. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 In its modern version, its sculptural and chiseled oval shape inspired by the melon — a fruit long associated with abundance, prosperity and vitality — came in aluminum pleated in 24-karat gold for enhanced lightness. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on melon

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster