lentil

noun

len·​til ˈlen-tᵊl 

1

: a widely cultivated Eurasian annual leguminous plant (Lens culinaris) with flattened edible seeds and leafy stalks used as fodder

2

: the seed of the lentil

Examples of lentil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The children have often received meager servings of porridge, lentils, and beans. —Maggie Michael, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2024

Examples of good prebiotic food choices include vegetables (leafy greens, asparagus, leeks), fruit (bananas, berries), and legumes (peas, lentils, beans, soybeans). —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 20 June 2024

Vegetarians can increase their iron intake by eating baked beans, lentils, whole-meal pasta, bread, nuts, seeds, kale, spinach, broccoli, or tofu. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 18 June 2024

Foods like lentils, beans, rice, pasta, and potatoes are also affordable, pantry stable solutions. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lentille, from Latin lenticula, diminutive of lent-, lens

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lentil

noun

len·​til ˈlent-ᵊl 

: a Eurasian plant of the legume family widely grown for its flattened edible seeds and leafy stalks used as food for cattle

also : its seed