chickpea

noun

chick·​pea ˈchik-ˌpē 

: an Asian herb (Cicer arietinum) of the legume family cultivated for its short pods with one or two seeds

also : its seed

Examples of chickpea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki In this recipe, chicken skewers are stacked on top of chickpeas, which are also an excellent source of fiber. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

Sharabi Chicken Tikka and Kasauli Lemon Chicken are flambed tableside, and Jalebi Chat is accented with nylon sev (a thin, crispy Indian snack made from chickpea flour) and silver varaq (a thin, edible sheet of silver used in South Asian treats). — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026

Alternative spreads like low-fat Greek yogurt, mashed chickpeas, and almond butter can make toasts a high-protein meal. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2026

Thanks to their high levels of mostly soluble dietary fiber and resistant starch, chickpeas have a probiotic effect, acting as an energy source and encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of chich pea, from Middle English chiche, from Anglo-French, from Latin cicer

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chickpea

noun

chick·​pea ˈchik-ˌpē 

: an Asian herb of the legume family cultivated for its short pods with one or two edible seeds

also : its seed