lentil

noun

len·​til ˈlen-tᵊl 

1

: a widely cultivated Eurasian annual leguminous plant (Vicia lens synonym 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

One pot of potato stew and one pot of lentils were cooled with unapproved methods. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The menu includes porridge made from mung beans with cashews and coconut milk, lentil soup with chili or lemon rice with peanuts, mustard seeds and turmeric. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Incorporate beans and lentils into soups, grain dishes, and salads. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 Jan. 2026

One cup of cooked lentils contains about 18 grams of protein, while about three servings of almonds contains some 21 grams of the macronutrient. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for lentil

• dental
• ental
• gentle
• mental
• rental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental

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