: 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
pea 1a
Examples of pea in a Sentence
We're growing tomatoes and peas in our garden this year.
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Cullen and his team have experimented with everything from pine cones to broom capers, a seed pod related to the pea.—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Whole legumes, including beans, peas, lentils, edamame, and tempeh.—Mara Santilli, SELF, 27 June 2025 The top grain-free cat foods contain carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, potato starch and green peas.—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025 Other crops that won’t mind the summer heat and humidity include cherry tomatoes, southern peas, chayote squash, calabaza squash and sweet potatoes.—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 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
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