1. Any of various plants of the species Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata producing squashes that have hard rinds and mature in the fall
   "The winter squash plant yielded a bountiful harvest of butternut squash";
   - winter squash plant
    
2. Any of various fruits of the gourd family with thick rinds and edible yellow to orange flesh that mature in the fall and can be stored for several months
   "The pantry was stocked with various winter squashes for the cold months ahead"

Derived forms: winter squashes

Type of: squash, squash vine

Part of: Cucurbita, genus Cucurbita

Encyclopedia: Winter squash