garbanzo

American  

[gahr-bahn-zoh] / gɑrˈbɑn zoʊ /

noun

plural

garbanzos

1. chickpea.

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garbanzo British  

/ ɡɑːˈbænzəʊ /

noun

1. another name for chickpea

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Etymology

Origin of garbanzo

1750–60, < Spanish, alteration of Old Spanish arvanco; perhaps akin to Latin ervum ( see ervil)

Explanation

A garbanzo is a round legume that's also known as a chickpea. You can add some garbanzos to your salad, or mash them up with tahini, lemon, and olive oil to make hummus. Many Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian dishes use garbanzos, from falafel to chana masala. The majority of the world's garbanzos are grown in India, though the word itself is Spanish and is mainly used in North America (other English speakers call them chickpeas). During World War I, roasted and ground garbanzos were sometimes used as a coffee substitute, particularly in Germany.

Example Sentences

Delgado chalks up his health to the fact that he’s been a pescatarian for 45 years, with a penchant for salmon, avocados, quinoa and garbanzo beans, and that he prioritizes hydration.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

Largeman-Roth recommends going with a vegan cookie dough made with garbanzo beans or white beans.

From Salon • Aug. 12, 2023

The hottest gluten-free cookbook on the market relied on a garbanzo bean/fava bean flour blend, also on the list of foods Elena was allergic to.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2023

In this twist on hummus from Acheson, boiled peanuts are treated like the legumes they are, standing in for the traditional garbanzo beans.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2023

The scent of garbanzo beans in spicy sauce hung in the air, mixed with the smell of dung and sweat.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini