pumpkin
noun
pump·kin ˈpəm(p)-kən 
nonstandard
ˈpəŋ-kən often attributive
1
a
: a fruit of any of various cultivars of herbaceous plants (Cucurbita pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, and C. mixta synonym C. argyrosperma) of the gourd family that is typically round and orange but may be another color or shape, that has a hard usually smooth skin with shallow longitudinal grooves, and that is grown for ornamental use or for its fibrous pale flesh used especially in baking or as feed for livestock
b
: any of several annual chiefly trailing American plants that bear pumpkins
2
: a strong orange color
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Speaking of which, visitors can guess the weight of the giant pumpkin. 
John Benson, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 By the looks of the pumpkin lattes popping up at my local coffee shop, fall is unofficially here. Noel Cody, Essence, 6 Sep. 2022 But this easy, healthy-ish make-ahead dip takes a full can of pumpkin purée into scrumptious savory territory, thanks to garlic, onion, rosemary, and tahini. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2022 The practice involves eating one tablespoon each of pumpkin and flax seeds during every day of the first half of your menstrual cycle, and one tablespoon each of sesame and sunflower seeds during the second half. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 27 May 2022 Adria Schrock raises her hand, caked in a gloopy, orange-yellow mixture of pumpkin and flour, to high-five Michaela Ouse, who returns the gesture with full power. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 18 May 2022 But the high sugar content also drove complaints from health-conscious consumers, along with the original recipe's use of artificial flavors and the absence of real pumpkin. Michelle Miller, CBS News, 25 Sep. 2021 The sweet honey, nut butter, and caramel core pairs deliciously with the outer crunch of roasted almonds and pumpkin seeds. Outside Online, 23 June 2022 The mineral is also in pumpkin seeds (a great source — 156 mg in an ounce!), chia seeds, whole grains, almonds and cashews, quinoa, black beans, soymilk and soybeans, yogurt and salmon, among others. Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 12 June 2022 See More
John Benson, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 By the looks of the pumpkin lattes popping up at my local coffee shop, fall is unofficially here. Noel Cody, Essence, 6 Sep. 2022 But this easy, healthy-ish make-ahead dip takes a full can of pumpkin purée into scrumptious savory territory, thanks to garlic, onion, rosemary, and tahini. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2022 The practice involves eating one tablespoon each of pumpkin and flax seeds during every day of the first half of your menstrual cycle, and one tablespoon each of sesame and sunflower seeds during the second half. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 27 May 2022 Adria Schrock raises her hand, caked in a gloopy, orange-yellow mixture of pumpkin and flour, to high-five Michaela Ouse, who returns the gesture with full power. Rachel Fradette, The Indianapolis Star, 18 May 2022 But the high sugar content also drove complaints from health-conscious consumers, along with the original recipe's use of artificial flavors and the absence of real pumpkin. Michelle Miller, CBS News, 25 Sep. 2021 The sweet honey, nut butter, and caramel core pairs deliciously with the outer crunch of roasted almonds and pumpkin seeds. Outside Online, 23 June 2022 The mineral is also in pumpkin seeds (a great source — 156 mg in an ounce!), chia seeds, whole grains, almonds and cashews, quinoa, black beans, soymilk and soybeans, yogurt and salmon, among others. Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 12 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
alteration of earlier pumpion, modification of French popon, pompon melon, pumpkin, from Latin pepon-, pepo, from Greek pepōn, from pepōn ripened; akin to Greek pessein to cook, ripen — more at cook
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing pumpkin
Kids Definition
pumpkin
noun
pump·kin ˈpəmp-kən
: a usually large round orange fruit of a vine related to the squash and cucumber that is used for food or decoration
Medical Definition
pumpkin
noun
pump·kin ˈpəm(p)-kən
: the usually round orange fruit of a vine (Cucurbita pepo) of the gourd family that is widely cultivated as food and is the source of pepo