pea

noun

ˈpē 

plural peas also pease ˈpēz 

often attributive

1

a

: a variable annual Eurasian vine (Lathyrus oleraceus) of the legume family that is cultivated especially for its rounded smooth or wrinkled edible protein-rich seeds

b

: the seed of the pea

c

peas also pease plural : the immature pods of the pea with their included seeds

2

: any of various leguminous plants related to or resembling the pea

—usually used in combination or with a qualifying term

chickpea

black-eyed pea

also : the seed of such a plant

3

: something resembling a pea (as in size or shape)

Illustration of pea

• pea 1a

Examples of pea in a Sentence

We're growing tomatoes and peas in our garden this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jessica Barden has a ball playing a mercurial, theatrical Nance who gets nauseous at the sight of her peas touching her carrots touching her mashed potatoes. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Blend frozen fruit with your choice of milk, a protein powder such as whey or pea protein, and nutrient-dense add-ins like nut butter or seeds. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 18 Sep. 2026

The ride’s track sits on pea gravel to help quiet the roar of the coaster. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

Dinner options include Prime brisket with collard greens, Sea Island red peas and the couple’s signature milk bread or a crispy NC flounder filet served with pomme purees and peekytoe crab butter. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from Middle English pease (taken as a plural), from Old English pise, from Latin pisa, plural of pisum, from Greek pison

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing pea

• beach pea
• black-eyed pea
• English pea
• field pea
• pea aphid
• pea bean
• pea green
• pea jacket
• pea soup
• pea-souper
• pigeon pea
• rosary pea
• snap pea
• snow pea
• split pea
• sugar pea
• sugar snap pea
• sweet pea

Rhymes for pea

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Kids Definition

pea

noun

ˈpē 

plural peas also pease ˈpēz 

1

a

: a plant of the legume family that is widely grown for its pods of protein-rich edible rounded seeds

b

: the seed of a pea

2

: a plant (as the sweet pea) related to the pea