cowpea

noun

cow·​pea ˈkau̇-ˌpē 

: a sprawling herb (Vigna unguiculata synonym V. sinensis) of the legume family related to the bean and widely cultivated in the southern U.S. for forage, green manure, and edible seeds

also : its edible seed

called also black-eyed pea, field pea

Examples of cowpea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hunters should remember Alyce clover (not a true clover), beets, buckwheat, cereal rye, cowpeas, iron clay peas, radishes (not a brassica family member), and winter peas can make for great food plot options. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 2024

In reality, cowpeas and black eyed peas are the same thing! —Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023

Earlier recipes dating back to the 1800s called for cowpeas, red peas, or field peas. —Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023

Field peas are cowpeas, so named because they were grown as a rotational crop in the fields instead of in kitchen gardens. —Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cowpea

noun

cow·​pea ˈkau̇-ˌpē 

: a sprawling herb related to the bean and grown in the southern U.S. especially as food for livestock and for green manure

also : its edible seed

called also black-eyed pea