legume

American  

[leg-yoom, li-gyoom] / ˈlɛg yum, lɪˈgyum /

noun

1. any plant of the legume family, especially those used for feed, food, or as a soil-improving crop.

2. the pod or seed vessel of such a plant.

3. any table vegetable of the legume family.

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legume British  

/ lɪˈɡjuːm, ˈlɛɡjuːm /

noun

1. the long dry dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants; a pod

2. any table vegetable of the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae ), esp beans or peas

3. any leguminous plant

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legume Scientific  

/ lĕg′yo̅o̅m′,lə-gyo̅o̅m′ /

1. Any of a large number of eudicot plants belonging to the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). Their characteristic fruit is a seed pod. Legumes live in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in structures called nodules on their roots. These bacteria are able to take nitrogen from the air, which is in a form that plants cannot use, and convert it into compounds that the plants can use. Many legumes are widely cultivated for food, as fodder for livestock, and as a means of improving the nitrogen content of soils. Beans, peas, clover, alfalfa, locust trees, and acacia trees are all legumes.

2. The seed pod of such a plant.

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Usage

What does legume mean? The word legume most commonly refers to the edible seed pods of plants in the legume family, which includes some beans, peas, and lentils.The peanut is famously not a nut but a legume.The word legume can also refer to the plants themselves. These include herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines that usually have compound leaves and clusters of irregular flowers.The fruit from such plants (the beans or other edible part) usually comes in the form of a pod that splits along both sides—chickpeas and peanuts split down the middle in this way.Many legumes are widely grown as food for humans and animals. Some legumes are planted to improve the nitrogen content of the soil where they grow.An adjective form of the word is leguminous, which is used to describe such plants.Example: My nutritionist recommended legumes as a good source of protein.

Other Word Forms

• nonlegume noun

Etymology

Origin of legume

First recorded in 1670–80; from French légume “vegetable,” from Latin legūmen “pulse” (a leguminous plant), derivative of legere “to choose, gather, read”

Example Sentences

The Mediterranean diet centers on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish, along with healthy fats such as olive oil.

From Science Daily

For Parasecoli, the foods associated with winter — soups thick with legumes, braised meats stretched across multiple meals, dishes built around grains, potatoes, and preserved ingredients — aren’t about excess.

From Salon

Fermentable fibres in foods like oats and legumes help the good bacteria in our large intestine grow, enriching our gut microbiome.

From BBC

In Morocco's High Atlas region, "ourkemen", a rich mixture of legumes, spices and whole grains, is a new year's favourite.

From BBC

It favors whole grains, legumes, vegetables prepared with intention, and sauces that taste like someone cared.

From Salon

Related Words

• herb
• produce
• salad