melon Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of numerous fruits of the gourd family having a hard rind and sweet juicy flesh
  2. noun any of various fruit of cucurbitaceous vines including: muskmelons; watermelons; cantaloupes; cucumbers
    melon vine.

WordNet

Mel"on noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. melo, for melopepo an apple-shaped melon, Gr. ; apple + a species of large melon; cf. L. malum apple. Cf. Marmalade.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) The juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon, and citron melon; also, the plant that produces the fruit.
  2. (Zoöl.) A large, ornamental, marine, univalve shell of the genus Melo.

Webster 1913