pea

¹

[ pee ]

noun

, plural peas, (Archaic or British Dialect) pease or peas·en [pee, -z, uh, n].

1. the round, edible seed of a widely cultivated plant, Pisum sativum, of the legume family.
2. the plant itself.
3. the green, somewhat inflated pod of this plant.
4. any of various related or similar plants or their seed, as the chickpea.
5. something resembling a pea, especially in being small and round.

adjective

1. pertaining to, growing, containing, or cooked with peas:

   We cultivated some tomato vines and a pea patch.

2. small or small and round (usually used in combination).
3. pea coal.

pea

²

[ pee ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. bill ³( def 4 ).

pea

/ piː /

noun

1. an annual climbing leguminous plant, Pisum sativum, with small white flowers and long green pods containing edible green seeds: cultivated in temperate regions
2. 1. the seed of this plant, eaten as a vegetable
   2. ( as modifier )

      pea soup

3. any of several other leguminous plants, such as the sweet pea, chickpea, and cowpea

Derived Forms

• ˈpeaˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• pealike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pea¹

First recorded in 1660–70; back formation from pease, taken as plural

Origin of pea²

First recorded in 1825–35; perhaps short for peak ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pea¹

C17: from pease (incorrectly assumed to be a plural)

Idioms and Phrases

see like as two peas in a pod .

Example Sentences

Atomo’s ingredients aren’t particularly high tech: date seeds, ramón seeds, sunflower seed extract, fructose, pea protein, millet, lemon, guava, fenugreek seeds, caffeine and baking soda.

From BBC

I pass through fragrant California sagebrush and wild fennel in one spot, a blend of sweet pea, lilac and kicked-up dirt in another.

From Los Angeles Times

He will know plenty before him have arrived for a gun battle armed only with pea shooters.

From BBC

One of the standouts is a riff on the piña colada called “To the Moon,” with a not-of-this-planet look that comes by way of a bright purple butterfly pea flower extract and a dusting of cocktail glitter.

From Los Angeles Times

If the ingredients include things such as “organic tapioca starch” or “pea protein isolate,” or even natural coloring, you might reconsider.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cloak
• frock
• jacket
• overcoat
• raincoat
• suit
• tuxedo
• windbreaker
• wrap