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

Unprocessed or minimally processed foods include items such as fresh fruit, legumes, or plain yogurt.

From Science Daily

If these modifications can be applied to other cereals, it may ultimately be possible to breed wheat, maize, or rice capable of fixing nitrogen on their own, similar to legumes.

From Science Daily

The work is among the first studies to apply archaeological DNA techniques to legumes.

From Science Daily

The vegan plan included fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans, while the Mediterranean plan featured fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, low-fat dairy, and extra-virgin olive oil.

From Science Daily

It is a key component of protein synthesis and is abundant in protein-rich foods like meat, dairy products, and legumes such as beans and lentils.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• herb
• produce
• salad