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

Quinn took things further: What about tinting the rice with turmeric (instead of the traditional saffron) and stuffing it with dal or a chickpea curry for an Indian-style take? —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

My main course was chickpea protein pasta (20 grams) and salmon (40 grams). —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 20 June 2025

Cooking experts advise removing the skin from chickpeas before preparing hummus. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025

It can be used as a sauce for grain bowls featuring brown rice, spelt, oats, or barley; over legumes such as chickpeas, peas, and beans; and on roasted or steamed vegetables such as fennel, sweet potatoes, or squash. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 31 May 2025

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