lentil

American  

[len-til, -tl] / ˈlɛn tɪl, -tl /

noun

1. a plant, Lens culinaris, of the legume family, having flattened, biconvex seeds used as food.

2. the seed itself.

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lentil British  

/ ˈlɛntɪl /

noun

1. a small annual leguminous plant, Lens culinaris, of the Mediterranean region and W Asia, having edible brownish convex seeds

2. any of the seeds of this plant, which are cooked and eaten as a vegetable, in soups, etc

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Etymology

Origin of lentil

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Old French lentille, from Vulgar Latin lentīcula (unrecorded), from Latin lenticula; see lenticle

Example Sentences

Baz gradually returned to the kitchen, starting with “comforting, tender and slow” meals like chicken bone broth and lentil soup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

"Lenteja tipo Lanzarote," or Lanzarote lentil, is a popular label for lentils sold in Spanish shops.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

Based on their frequency, severity, recurrence, and potential for hidden exposure, the top four new ones are goat's and sheep's milk, buckwheat, peas and lentil, and pine nuts.

From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025

One crowd pleaser happened to be totally vegan: a red lentil dal served with coconut rice.

From Salon • Oct. 16, 2024

She often cries silently, letting the tears slide down her face, not bothering to dry them as she stirs a pot of lentil soup or kneads the dough for potato-and.cheese borekas.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar