pumpkin

plural pumpkins · alternative punkin

1. countableuncountableA domesticated plant, in species Cucurbita pepo, similar in growth pattern, foliage, flower, and fruit to the squash or melon.

   Nevertheless, the comprehensive comparative analysis of pumpkin viromes across various geographic regions by NGS remains deficient.

   2023 August 28, Batchimeg Togoobat, Nan Wu, Xifeng Wang, Mengji Cao, Zhongtian Xu, “Viromic approach reveals differences in the composition, diversity and relative abundance of pumpkin viruses across main growing regions of China”, in Virology, volume 585, →DOI, pages 61-71

2. countableuncountableThe round yellow or orange fruit of this plant.

   There were pumpkins in Mombi’s corn-fields, lying golden red among the rows of green stalks; and these had been planted and carefully tended that the four-horned cow might eat of them in the winter time.

   1904, L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz

3. uncountableThe typical color of the ripe fruit of the pumpkin plant.
4. AustraliacountableuncountableAny of a number of cultivars from the genus Cucurbita; known in the US as winter squash.
5. UScountableuncountableA term of endearment for someone small and cute.

   You must be daddy’s little pumpkin.

   1991, John Prine, Pat McLaughlin, “Daddy’s Little Pumpkin”, in The Missing Years (album)

6. countableinformaluncountableautomotiveThe housing for a differential, built into an axle of a vehicle; the housing and its contents.