lentil

noun

len·​til ˈlen-tᵊl 

1

: a widely cultivated Eurasian annual leguminous plant (Vicia lens synonym Lens culinaris) with flattened edible seeds and leafy stalks used as fodder

2

: the seed of the lentil

Examples of lentil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bring to a boil, then simmer the lentils loosely covered for 40 minutes. —Trisha Pasricha, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026

Dinner often includes dahl − an Indian dish made from lentils or other legume − and roti, a type of flatbread and sometimes rice. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

Lakshmi also said that Indians who are vegetarians, as Usha Vance is, eat more than bread, vegetables and dairy, such as beans, rice, lentils and squash. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026

Prioritize fiber-rich foods like legumes (peas, lentils, beans), berries, and oats to prevent high cholesterol. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lentille, from Latin lenticula, diminutive of lent-, lens

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lentil

• dental
• ental
• gentle
• mental
• rental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental

Kids Definition

lentil

noun

len·​til ˈlent-ᵊl 

: a Eurasian plant of the legume family widely grown for its flattened edible seeds and leafy stalks used as food for cattle

also : its seed