legume

noun

le·​gume ˈle-ˌgyüm  li-ˈgyüm 

plural legumes

1

a

: the dry fruit of plants of the legume family (such as peas or beans) that develops from a single carpel of a flower and usually splits into two halves with seeds attached to the seam of one half : pod entry 1 sense 1

b

: the fruit or seeds of a legume plant (such as the peanut or tamarind) used for food

2

: any of a large family (Leguminosae synonym Fabaceae, the legume family) of dicotyledonous plants that have fruits that are legumes and roots with nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria and that includes important food and forage plants (such as peas, beans, or clovers)

Examples of legume in a Sentence

recipes that include legumes like lentils and chickpeas

Recent Examples on the Web

Fiber in beans and other legumes can prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 14 Nov. 2025

Recent research suggests loading up on whole plant foods, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can be protective against multiple types of cancer, colorectal included. —Korin Miller, SELF, 14 Nov. 2025

Beck recommends fiber-rich foods like beans, legumes, oats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables—all of which slow digestion and help prevent sharp rises in blood glucose. —Ashia Aubourg, Outside, 12 Nov. 2025

How to Get Enough Magnesium for Better Sleep Many people do not regularly eat foods rich in magnesium, such as leafy greens, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and seafood, Gray said. —Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French légume, from Latin legumin-, legumen leguminous plant, from legere to gather — more at legend

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for legume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• costume

Kids Definition

legume

noun

leg·​ume

ˈleg-ˌyüm, 

li-ˈgyüm

1

a

: any of a large family of herbs, shrubs, and trees that have fruits which are dry single-celled pods that split into two pieces when ripe, that bear nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and that include important food plants (as peas, beans, or clovers)

b

: the part (as seeds or pods) of a legume used as food

2

: the pod of a legume

Medical Definition

legume

noun

le·​gume ˈleg-ˌyüm  li-ˈgyüm 

1

: the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food

2

: any plant of the family Fabaceae (synonym Leguminosae)