pod

[ pod ]

noun

a somewhat elongated, two-valved seed vessel, as that of the pea or bean.
a dehiscent fruit or pericarp having several seeds.

Entomology.
- an insect egg case.
- a compact mass of insect eggs.
a streamlined enclosure, housing, or detachable container of some kind: an engine pod under the wing of an aircraft.
a protective compartment, as for an automobile's instrument gauges.
bubble (def. 11b): I've agreed with some friends to become part of their pandemic pod.
Mining. an orebody that has an elongated or lenticular shape.
Radio and Television Slang. a cluster of brief commercials or spot announcements.

verb (used without object),pod·ded, pod·ding.

to produce pods.
to swell out like a pod.

Origin of pod

First recorded in 1680–90; apparently back formation from podder “gatherer of peas (as from a garden)”; further origin uncertain)

Other words from pod

pod·like, adjective
un·pod·ded, adjective

Other definitions for pod (2 of 9)

pod²

[ pod ]

noun

a group of aquatic animals, especially marine mammals: a pod of walruses.
a small flock of birds.

Origin of pod

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; perhaps special (originally facetious) use of pod¹

Other definitions for pod (3 of 9)

pod³

[ pod ]

noun, verb (used with or without object)

podcast: What pods do you listen to?I'll be podding about the film next week.We should pod all the discussions we're having leading up to our trip.

Origin of pod

First recorded in 2005–10; by shortening

Other definitions for pod (4 of 9)

pod⁴

[ pod ]

noun

the straight groove or channel in the body of certain augers or bits.
Carpentry. pad¹ (def. 15b).

Origin of pod

⁴

First recorded in 1565–75; origin uncertain; perhaps a continuation of Old English pād “outer garment, cloak,” the socket being thought of as something that covers or hides from view what is held in it (though the phonology is irregular)

Other definitions for POD (5 of 9)

POD

abbreviation

port of debarkation.

Other definitions for pod- (6 of 9)

pod-

a learned borrowing from Greek meaning “foot,” used in the formation of compound words: pododynia.

Origin of pod-

⁶

Combining form representing Greek poús (genitive podós ) foot

Also especially before a consonant, podo- .

Other definitions for -pod (7 of 9)

-pod

a combining form meaning “one having a foot” of the kind or number specified by the initial element; often corresponding to New Latin class names ending in -poda, with -pod used in English to name a single member of such a class: cephalopod.: Compare -ped.

Origin of -pod

⁷

From New Latin, from Greek -pod-, stem of -pous, adjective derivative of poús; see origin at foot

Other definitions for p.o.'d (8 of 9)

p.o.'d

[ pee-ohd ]

adjectiveSlang.

pissed off.

Origin of p.o.'d

⁸

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Other definitions for P.O.D. (9 of 9)

P.O.D.

abbreviation

pay on delivery.
Post Office Department.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for pod (1 of 5)

pod¹

/ (pɒd) /

noun

- the fruit of any leguminous plant, consisting of a long two-valved case that contains seeds and splits along both sides when ripe
- the seedcase as distinct from the seeds
any similar fruit

a streamlined structure attached by a pylon to an aircraft and used to house a jet engine (podded engine), fuel tank, armament, etc
an enclosed cabin suspended from a cable or a big wheel, for carrying passengers

verbpods, podding or podded

(tr) to remove the pod or shell from (peas, beans, etc)
(intr) (of a plant) to produce pods

Origin of pod

C17: perhaps back formation from earlier podware bagged vegetables, probably from pod, variant of cod ² + ware 1

British Dictionary definitions for pod (2 of 5)

pod²

/ (pɒd) /

noun

a small group of animals, esp seals, whales, or birds

Origin of pod

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for pod (3 of 5)

pod³

/ (pɒd) /

noun

a straight groove along the length of certain augers and bits
the socket that holds the bit in a boring tool

Origin of pod

C16: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for POD (4 of 5)

POD

abbreviation for

pay on delivery

abbreviation for

print on demand

British Dictionary definitions for -pod (5 of 5)

-pod

n combining form

indicating a certain type or number of feet: arthropod; tripod

Origin of -pod

⁵

from Greek -podos footed, from pous foot

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pod (1 of 2)

pod

[ pŏd ]

A fruit or seed case that usually splits along two seams to release its seeds when mature. Legumes, such as peas and beans, produce pods.

Scientific definitions for -pod (2 of 2)

-pod

A suffix meaning foot. It is used in the scientific names of the members of many groups of organisms, such as arthropod, an organism having jointed feet, and sauropod, a dinosaur having lizard feet. It is also used in the names of different kinds of limbs or limblike body parts, such as pseudopod, the false foot of an amoeba.

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