pumpkin

[puhmp-kin, puhng-kin]

noun

1. a large, edible, orange-yellow fruit borne by a coarse, decumbent vine, Cucurbita pepo, of the gourd family.

2. the similar fruit of any of several related species, as C. maxima or C. moschata.

3. a plant bearing such fruit.

pumpkin

/ ˈpʌmpkɪn /

noun

1. any of several creeping cucurbitaceous plants of the genus Cucurbita, esp C. pepo of North America and C. maxima of Europe

2. 1. the large round fruit of any of these plants, which has a thick orange rind, pulpy flesh, and numerous seeds

   2. ( as modifier )

      pumpkin pie

3. (often capital) a term of endearment

Word History and Origins

Origin of pumpkin¹

1640–50; alteration of pumpion ( -kin ), variant of pompon < Middle French, nasalized variant of popon melon, earlier pepon < Latin pepōn- (stem of pepō ) < Greek pépōn kind of melon

Word History and Origins

Origin of pumpkin¹

C17: from earlier pumpion, from Old French pompon, from Latin pepo, from Greek pepōn, from pepōn ripe, from peptein to ripen

Example Sentences

Our final glimpse shows Carrie returning to her castle and dancing to Barry White while diving into a pumpkin pie she’s kept all to herself.

From Salon

While the exact details of that first dinner are a bit faded now, Mr Crockett says there was most likely pumpkin soup on the menu, along with a medley of roasts – beef, turkey and pork.

From BBC

He is set to appear in BBC’s upcoming series “Gifted,” about Scottish teens who discover they have superpowers, and the Sky film “Grow,” about a grumpy pumpkin farmer and her orphaned niece.

From Los Angeles Times

And then, with the clock ticking toward midnight, Braves reliever Aaron Bummer aided their cause by immediately turning into a pumpkin.

From Los Angeles Times

Officially sold as “leather cleaner,” Double Scorpio also comes in pumpkin spice flavor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fruit 
• squash