Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

pea

noun, often attributive \ ˈpē \
|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of pea

plural peas also pease play \ˈpēz\
1 a : a variable annual Eurasian vine (Pisum sativum) 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)

See pea defined for English-language learners

See pea defined for kids

Examples of pea in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of pea from the Web

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

Illustration of pea

illustration of pea

Origin and Etymology of pea

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

Phrases Related to PEA

Related Phrases

PEA Defined for English Language Learners

pea

noun

Definition of pea for English Language Learners

  • : a small, round, green seed that is eaten as a vegetable and that is formed in a seed case (called a pod) of a climbing plant; also : a plant that produces peas

PEA Defined for Kids

pea

noun \ ˈpē \

Definition of pea for Students

plural peas \ˈpēz\
1 : a round green seed that is eaten as a vegetable and comes from the pods of a climbing garden plant
2 : a plant (as the sweet pea) resembling or related to the garden plant that produces peas

Learn More about pea

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up pea? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

quail

play

to recoil in dread or terror

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

PE
P/E
pea

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games