plural peas also pease ˈpēz How to pronounce pea (audio)
often attributive
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)

Illustration of pea

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 Elizabeth Kolbert Some botanists maintain that peas are capable of associative learning, others that tropical vines have a sort of vision. Zoë Schlanger, The New York Review of Books, 13 Sep. 2024 Add chopped spinach and frozen peas and cook for 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Tribune News Service, The Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2024 Green Pea Pasta Recognized for their small round shapes, green peas or garden peas are another popular legume choice for creating high-protein pasta. Johna Burdeos, Health, 4 Sep. 2024 Del Rosario’s delivery this day included a turkey burger with sweet potatoes and peas, pork lo mein, a beef burrito bowl, chicken Alfredo with pasta and zucchini, chicken with brown rice and green beans, and fresh fruit and milk. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pea 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pea was in 1666

Dictionary Entries Near pea

Cite this Entry

“Pea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pea. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

Kids Definition

pea

noun
plural peas also pease ˈpēz How to pronounce pea (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pea

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