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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The divine-smelling duo pumps up thin strands like any volumizing formula, but then uses botanical extracts (pea sprout) and Capixyl (made from a biomimetic peptide and red clover extract) to improve scalp health. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 Check out its jerk chicken roll filled with carrots, cabbage, onions, cheese and jerk mayo; or try the jerk chicken wings and sides of rice and peas, plantains and cabbage. Loán Lake, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2025 Austrian winter pea provides several benefits including nitrogen fixation, erosion control, and weed management. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025 Add butter and pulse until the mix clumps together to form pea-size balls. Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pea

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pea. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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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