lentil

noun len·til \ ˈlen-tᵊl \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of lentil

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

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Recent Examples of lentil from the Web

Spinach had life of its own, as did lentils, also chicken, veal, pork, beef and lamb.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "The Greek Easter lamb debate: Head on or off?," 6 Apr. 2018
Ashkenazi Jews, who are of European descent, have historically avoided rice, beans, corn and other foods like lentils and edamame at Passover.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "Are These Foods Kosher for Passover? The Answer Is More Complicated Than You Think," 8 Mar. 2018
Other foods that pack protein include cottage cheese, milk, eggs, fish, lean poultry and meats, peanut butter, lentils and soybeans.

— lisa drayer, CNN, "Foods that can suppress appetite, aid weight loss," 8 Mar. 2018
The red lentils in this vegetarian soup add a beautiful color and satisfying source of fiber and protein.

— Philly.com, "Healthy family recipe: Indian spiced spring soup," 30 Mar. 2018
Rice, lentils, and beans, for example, can all be cooked sequentially in the same pot, with just a wipe-out in between.

— sarah jampel, Bon Appetit, "14 Ways to Make Fewer Dirty Dishes (Because Washing Them Sucks, OBVS)," 19 Mar. 2018
Order the spectacular breakfast sandwich with a baked egg, provolone cheese, refried lentils, and green chili adobe, or the luxurious lox with dill cream cheese and pickled zucchini on rye toast.

— ina pinkney, chicagotribune.com, "Three local spots offer a bevy of breakfast options," 19 Mar. 2018
The menu includes salmon tartare and potato crisps with the 2014 Pinot Gris and lamb chop with Moroccan spices and red lentils, with the 2014 Pinot Noir.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Special dinners with vintage cocktails, wine and whisky," 19 Jan. 2018
Lunch was served: a shrimp-and-lentil salad and a vegan bean fricassee.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "Reddit and the Struggle to Detoxify the Internet," 12 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lentil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lentil

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

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First Known Use: 13th century

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LENTIL Defined for English Language Learners

lentil

noun

Definition of lentil for English Language Learners

: a type of flat, round seed that is related to the pea and is eaten as a vegetable

LENTIL Defined for Kids

lentil

noun len·til \ ˈlen-tᵊl \

Definition of lentil for Students

: the flattened round edible seed of a plant originally of southwestern Asia

Learn More about lentil

See words that rhyme with lentil Spanish Central: Translation of lentil Nglish: Translation of lentil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lentil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lentil

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lentil

Definition of lentil

Recent Examples of lentil from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lentil

LENTIL Defined for English Language Learners

lentil

Definition of lentil for English Language Learners

LENTIL Defined for Kids

lentil

Definition of lentil for Students

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