muskmelon

noun

musk·​mel·​on ˈməsk-ˌme-lən How to pronounce muskmelon (audio)
: a usually sweet edible melon that is the fruit of an annual trailing or climbing Asian vine (Cucumis melo) of the gourd family: such as
a
: any of various melons (C. melo var. reticulatus) with netted skin and musky odor that include most of the muskmelons cultivated in North America
especially : cantaloupe sense 1
b
: winter melon sense 1

Examples of muskmelon 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.
In other words, the difference between muskmelons and cantaloupe is that cantaloupe is a type of muskmelon—along with honeydew melons. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2024 Just like all mandarins are oranges, but not all oranges are mandarins; not all muskmelons are cantaloupes, but all cantaloupes are muskmelons. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muskmelon was in 1573

Rhymes for muskmelon

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“Muskmelon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muskmelon. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

muskmelon

noun
musk·​mel·​on ˈməsk-ˌmel-ən How to pronounce muskmelon (audio)
: any of various round to oval melons (as the cantaloupes or winter melons) of an Asian vine of the gourd family that have smooth or ridged skin and edible usually sweet flesh

More from Merriam-Webster on muskmelon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muskmelon

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