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

Anti-inflammatory foods tend to be plant-based, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds. — Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 21 July 2026

The versatile workhorse is ideal for a variety of cooking needs, like braising short ribs, simmering soups, roasting whole chickens, and slow-cooking lentils. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

The site declares that beans reign supreme in blue zones and stand at the heart of longevity eating everywhere, pointing to black beans in Nicoya, lentils and garbanzo and white beans across the Mediterranean, and soybeans in Okinawa. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Unlike the iron found in meat, poultry, and seafood, the iron in foods like spinach, lentils, beans, tofu, and pumpkin seeds (aka non-heme iron) isn’t absorbed as easily. — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 13 July 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