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

Foods like fortified cereals, liver, oysters, and lentils offer more iron than chickpeas. —Brandi Jones, Health, 9 Feb. 2026

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the S-blade, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, chickpeas, tahini, brown sugar and vanilla. —Virginia Willis, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026

Beans Options such as black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory minerals. —Pamela Assid Woughter, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026

The region’s North African influences (Tunisia lies just across the coast) are acutely manifest in its cuisine—San Vito Lo Capo hosts an annual couscous festival and chickpea fritters, pistachios, and spices such as saffron and cinnamon feature across many of its restaurants’ menus. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 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