pea

¹ American  

[pee] / pi /

noun

plural

peas,

plural

pease, peasen

1. the round, edible seed of a widely cultivated plant, Pisum sativum, of the legume family.

2. the plant itself.

3. the green, somewhat inflated pod of this plant.

4. any of various related or similar plants or their seed, as the chickpea.

5. something resembling a pea, especially in being small and round.

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adjective

1. pertaining to, growing, containing, or cooked with peas.

   We cultivated some tomato vines and a pea patch.

2. small or small and round (usually used in combination).

3. pea coal.

pea ² American  

[pee] / pi /

noun

Nautical.

1. bill.

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pea British  

/ piː /

noun

1. an annual climbing leguminous plant, Pisum sativum, with small white flowers and long green pods containing edible green seeds: cultivated in temperate regions

2. 1. the seed of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

   2. ( as modifier )

      pea soup

3. any of several other leguminous plants, such as the sweet pea, chickpea, and cowpea

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pea Idioms  

1. see like as two peas in a pod.

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Other Word Forms

• pealike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pea¹

First recorded in 1660–70; back formation from pease, taken as plural

Origin of pea¹

First recorded in 1825–35; perhaps short for peak ¹

Example Sentences

Scientists advising the government recommended in 2024 that Americans eat less red meat and more beans, peas and lentils.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also recommend protein derived from plants like beans, peas, nuts and seeds.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village," says Nilam Brahma who lives in Anthaigwlao, a village in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.

From BBC

Fans could buy stuffed toy versions of items like fish, chips and mushy peas at a temporary shop at the department store Selfridges in London.

From BBC

Mr Hoyles, who is growing the olives alongside more conventional crops such as wheat, sugar beet, potatoes and peas said he had installed wind turbines and solar panels to improve energy self-sufficiency.

From BBC

Related Words

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