peanut

American  

[pee-nuht, -nuht] / ˈpiˌnʌt, -nət /

noun

1. the pod or the enclosed edible seed of the plant, Arachis hypogaea, of the legume family: the pod is forced underground in growing, where it ripens.

2. the plant itself.

3. any small or insignificant person or thing.

4. peanuts,

   1. Informal.  a very small amount of money.

      working for peanuts.

   2. Slang.  barbiturates.

   3. small pieces of Styrofoam used as a packing material.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the peanut or peanuts.

2. made with or from peanuts.

3. Informal.  small, insignificant, or petty.

peanut British  

/ ˈpiːˌnʌt /

noun

1. See also peanuts

   1. a leguminous plant, Arachis hypogaea, of tropical America: widely cultivated for its edible seeds. The seed pods are forced underground where they ripen See also hog peanut

   2. Also called: goober.   goober pea.   groundnut.   monkey nut.  the edible nutlike seed of this plant, used for food and as a source of oil

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Other Word Forms

• peanutty adjective

Etymology

Origin of peanut

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; pea ¹ + nut

Example Sentences

“Now we’re lucky if we get a cup of water and a stale bag of peanuts.”

From Los Angeles Times

There isn’t a seafood counter, and a small “Georgia Grown” section offered mostly potatoes, onions and peanuts, though it will carry more items in the summer months.

From The Wall Street Journal

Draft beer, peanuts and big-screen sports... the scene is reminiscent of pubs worldwide, but in Saudi Arabia's capital, customers in white robes or black veils sip alcohol-free pints with no expectation of a hangover.

From Barron's

His company started producing Gut Nuts—fermented almonds, peanuts and cashews—in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal

Inside the college’s Basic Needs Resource Center on Wednesday afternoon, Crawford filled a black basket with peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, a can of pozole and hygiene products.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• groundnut