sweet pea

noun

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of sweet pea

1 : a widely cultivated Italian legume (Lathyrus odoratus) having slender usually climbing stems, ovate leaves, and large fragrant flowers

2 : the flower of a sweet pea

See sweet pea defined for English-language learners

See sweet pea defined for kids

Recent Examples of sweet pea from the Web

In addition to rows of ranunculus, there’s a rose garden, a cymbidium orchid greenhouse, and a labyrinth made of sweet peas (like a corn maze, but better smelling).

— amelia mularz, Los Angeles Magazine, "Nostalgic for Last Year’s Super Bloom? You Should Really Go to Carlsbad," 10 Apr. 2018
Avocados lead 2018's clean fruits and veggies list, followed by sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwi, cantaloupe, cauliflower and broccoli.

— susan scutti, CNN, "Strawberries again top 2018's 'Dirty Dozen' fruits and veggies," 10 Apr. 2018
Now is the time to order sweet peas so they can be started at the end of the month or so.

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "From exotic strawberries to ‘cucamelons,’ day dreaming and ordering seeds goes hand in hand," 12 Jan. 2018
The arrangements are reported to be made up mostly of peonies, sweet peas, astilbe, freesia, waxflowers, and green bells.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "See How Pippa Middleton Decorated the Inside of the Church Where She Got Married," 23 May 2017
Risottos at Bin 300 World Bistro, Wolcott — Bin 300 is justifiably famous for risottos like its rock shrimp and sweet pea; wild mushroom, prosciutto di Parma and white truffle oil; and Parmesan and sweet butter risotto.

— frank cohen, courant.com, "What Great Dishes Are On Your Own CT Bucket List? Here Are Our Picks," 21 Feb. 2018
Primarily made from dried flora, this arrangement perfectly combines live oak, pistachio, chocolate sunflowers, chocolate cosmos, and dried sweet pea vine for a hauntingly beautiful arrangement.

— sara tardiff, ELLE Decor, "Floral Arrangements To Try If You Have A Fall Zodiac Sign," 6 Oct. 2017
One of our first courses was a deceptively simple dish of asparagus and sweet peas.

— veronica hinke, chicagotribune.com, "The best meal of 2017 – Chicago-area chefs describe their favorite bites," 14 Dec. 2017
Early fall is the best time to plant sweet peas for fragrant bouquets in March and April.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Sweet! Time to plant these spring favorites," 22 Sep. 2017

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

First Known Use of sweet pea

1732

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SWEET PEA Defined for English Language Learners

sweet pea

noun

Definition of sweet pea for English Language Learners

: a climbing plant with flowers that have a sweet smell

SWEET PEA Defined for Kids

sweet pea

noun

Definition of sweet pea for Students

: a climbing plant that is grown for its fragrant flowers of many colors

Learn More about sweet pea

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sweet pea

Seen and Heard

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

show

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea

Recent Examples of sweet pea from the Web

First Known Use of sweet pea

SWEET PEA Defined for English Language Learners

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea for English Language Learners

SWEET PEA Defined for Kids

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea for Students

Learn More about sweet pea

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea

Recent Examples of sweet pea from the Web

First Known Use of sweet pea

SWEET PEA Defined for English Language Learners

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea for English Language Learners

SWEET PEA Defined for Kids

sweet pea

Definition of sweet pea for Students

Learn More about sweet pea

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Trending: HRC: Media Opened Door to 'Charlatans'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes