honeydew

noun

hon·​ey·​dew ˈhə-nē-ˌdü How to pronounce honeydew (audio)
-ˌdyü
1
: a saccharine deposit secreted on the leaves of plants usually by aphids or scale insects or sometimes by a fungus
2

Examples of honeydew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Their main food sources are energy-rich liquids, such as the honeydew produced by insects like scale bugs and mealybugs and nectar secreted from specialized glands on plants. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Aphids excrete the sap as honeydew, leaving leaves sticky and susceptible to sooty mold. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025 Growing nasturtiums near watermelons, honeydews, cantaloupes, and other melons can attract pollinators to melon flowers, ensuring a bigger harvest of fruit. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2025 The undersides of the leaves may also feel sticky due to the honeydew. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honeydew

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of honeydew was in 1526

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Cite this Entry

“Honeydew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honeydew. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

honeydew

noun
hon·​ey·​dew ˈhən-ē-ˌd(y)ü How to pronounce honeydew (audio)
1
: a sugary substance deposited on the leaves of plants usually by aphids or scale insects or sometimes by a fungus
2

More from Merriam-Webster on honeydew

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