peanut

1 of 2

noun

pea·​nut ˈpē-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce peanut (audio)
plural peanuts
1
: a low-branching widely cultivated annual herb (Arachis hypogaea) of the legume family with showy yellow flowers having a peduncle which elongates and bends into the soil where the ovary ripens into a pod containing one to three oily edible seeds
also : its seed or seed-containing pod
2
: an insignificant or tiny person
3
peanuts plural : a trifling amount
4
: a pellet made of a low-density lightweight material (such as polystyrene foam or corn starch) that is used especially as packing material
usually plural
It's all part of the company's mission to be more sustainable. When your paint shows up at your door, you won't find it loaded with polystyrene peanuts.Nicole Conway
In the 1800s the acorns were used for packing (like Styrofoam peanuts) and ships would dump them overboard and they'd wash up on shore.Rich Eldred
Whenever you get plants in the mail, or other fragile things, they come packed with these foam peanuts.Peter Hotton
The bill would also ban the sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging, or packing peanuts.Samantha Maldonado

peanut

2 of 2

adjective

: insignificant, petty
peanut politics

Examples of peanut in a Sentence

Noun Five billion dollars is peanuts compared to what the government spends each year. He works all day for peanuts. Adjective this is a peanut matter, and we're fools for wasting time on it
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are also blueberry-beet and coconut cream smoothies, toast slathered in homemade cashew butter and raspberry sauce, and salads tossed with edamame, red pepper, pickled red onion, and roasted peanut. Alia Akkam, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024 Federal law dictates that the nine leading allergens, including peanuts and soy, be listed on food packaging when relevant. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024 Andrew Carter was twice honored, teaming with Korie Dean to provide an expansive look at how N.C. State changed its vote to allow the ACC to expand, and also for his look at North Carolina’s contributions to Major League Baseball’s peanut culture. Staff Report, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 Cole slaw has given way to a kale salad with peanuts and Granny Smith apples. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2024 There are a few rules, like your sandwich has to be entirely edible (go figure) and can't contain peanuts or crustaceans. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 After giving them a rundown, Ryan and Perry unleashed thousands of peanuts from the machine to be sifted. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 In addition to peanuts, Xolair works for other common food allergies, including eggs, milk and wheat. Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 25 Feb. 2024 The original ad for the food delivery service was posted online on Feb. 6, but the version that aired during the big game on Feb. 11 omitted a peanut allergy joke. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The foods used in the study were peanut, cashew, egg, milk, walnut, hazelnut and wheat, which are some of the most common allergens, Wood said. Amanda Musa, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 The donor liver itself can continue making the anti-peanut antibodies, the theory goes, causing the allergy. Jennifer Welsh, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2010 Using Park Lane Pantry’s newest chocolate granola, plus peanut butter, coconut flour and cocoa powder, these energy bites are a refrigerator staple. Dallas News, 26 May 2020 To prepare dressing, combine peanut butter, hoisin sauce, brown sugar and chili garlic paste until smooth. Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2020 In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, honey, ginger, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup reserved coconut mixture, and remaining ½ teaspoon chili sauce; set aside. Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, 30 Apr. 2020 Two of our Presidents (Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter) were peanut farmers. Amanda Erickson, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2018 Two of our presidents (Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter) were peanut farmers. Amanda Erickson, chicagotribune.com, 9 Mar. 2018 The sandwiches are not peanut butter on white bread. Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, 4 May 2020

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peanut was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near peanut

Cite this Entry

“Peanut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peanut. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peanut

noun
pea·​nut
ˈpē-(ˌ)nət
1
: a plant of the legume family that has yellow flowers and is grown for its underground pods of oily nutlike edible seeds which yield peanut oil or are crushed to make peanut butter
also : this pod or one of the oily edible seeds it contains
2
plural : a very small amount

More from Merriam-Webster on peanut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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