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

Diet Limits dietary fat; emphasizes fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025

Unfortunately, the sulfur compounds in garlic may interfere with nitrogen fixation in legumes and cause these plants to grow more slowly and become stunted. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025

Fruit production could be boosted by 61%, nuts by 172% and legumes by 187%. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

Bacon adds smoke and depth to the legume, while fresh tomatoes and scallions brighten everything up. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 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