legume

noun

le·​gume ˈle-ˌgyüm  li-ˈgyüm 

plural legumes

1

a

: the dry fruit of plants of the legume family (such as peas or beans) that develops from a single carpel of a flower and usually splits into two halves with seeds attached to the seam of one half : pod entry 1 sense 1

b

: the fruit or seeds of a legume plant (such as the peanut or tamarind) used for food

2

: any of a large family (Leguminosae synonym Fabaceae, the legume family) of dicotyledonous plants that have fruits that are legumes and roots with nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria and that includes important food and forage plants (such as peas, beans, or clovers)

Examples of legume in a Sentence

recipes that include legumes like lentils and chickpeas

Recent Examples on the Web

Such foods include legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds and beans, which are all good sources of tryptophan, according to the book. —Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2025

Palestinian media said 50 trucks carrying flour, cooking oil and legumes would be allowed into the small coastal territory later on Monday, while Israeli media said nine trucks with baby food were expected to enter in coming hours. —Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 19 May 2025

Adding legumes like kidney beans to your diet can stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes.10 9. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025

Soybeans are legumes rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, folate, and iron. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French légume, from Latin legumin-, legumen leguminous plant, from legere to gather — more at legend

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for legume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

legume

noun

leg·​ume

ˈleg-ˌyüm,

li-ˈgyüm

1

a

: any of a large family of herbs, shrubs, and trees that have fruits which are dry single-celled pods that split into two pieces when ripe, that bear nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and that include important food plants (as peas, beans, or clovers)

b

: the part (as seeds or pods) of a legume used as food

2

: the pod of a legume

Medical Definition

legume

noun

le·​gume ˈleg-ˌyüm  li-ˈgyüm 

1

: the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food

2

: any plant of the family Leguminosae