pea

¹

[pee]

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.

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

[pee]

noun

Nautical.

1. bill.

pea

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• pealike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pea¹

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

Origin of pea²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pea¹

C17: from _pease (incorrectly assumed to be a plural)

Idioms and Phrases

see like as two peas in a pod.

Example Sentences

Legumes such as beans and peas naturally form root nodules, specialized structures that create the oxygen-poor conditions these bacteria require.

Read more on Science Daily

Rachel attempts to help with the cooking, creating a trifle that includes custard, jam, beef and peas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Food and Drink Federation says UPFs can form part of a balanced diet, like frozen peas and wholemeal bread.

Read more on BBC

Only on rare occasions did their good behavior falter: for example, when peas were unexpectedly served at luncheon.

Read more on Literature

“I hope our cots do not keep you up all night, as in the story of the princess and the pea.”

Read more on Literature

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