pea

noun

ˈpē 

plural peas also pease ˈpēz 

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

• 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

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

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