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

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 6 Jan. 2025

The little legumes contain beneficial unsaturated fatty acids, and, of course, protein. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 30 Dec. 2024

Recipe Ideas: Split Pea Soup Potato Leek Soup Ham And Potato Soup Slow-Cooker Vegetable Soup White Bean Chard Soup Hoppin’ John Soup (swap turkey wings for ham bone) Beans & Peas The meatiness pairs nicely with many legumes such as white beans, black-eyed peas, navy beans, pintos, and lentils. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024

Fill half of your plate with vegetables, a quarter with lean protein, and another quarter with a mixture of fruits, legumes, and healthy fats.11 Stay Hydrated Helping to control your appetite is just one of the many benefits of drinking enough water. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 25 Dec. 2024

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

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 Leguminosae