Definition of 'pea'

Word Frequency

pea

(piː )

Word forms: plural peas

countable noun [usually plural]

Peas are round green seeds which grow in long thin cases and are eaten as a vegetable.

Image of 'pea'

Video: pronunciation of 'pea'

Word Frequency

pea in British

(piː )

noun

an annual climbing leguminous plant, Pisum sativum, with small white flowers and long green pods containing edible green seeds: cultivated in temperate regions

the seed of this plant, eaten as a vegetable

(as modifier)

pea soup

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

Derived forms

pealike (ˈpeaˌlike)

adjective

Word origin of 'pea'

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

Word Frequency

pea in American

(pi ; pē)

nounWord forms: plural peas

an annual, tendril-climbing plant (Pisum sativum) of the pea family, with white or pinkish flowers and green seedpods

its small, round, smooth or wrinkled seed, used as a vegetable

any of various similar plants, as the cowpea

the seed of any of these

adjective

designating a family (Fabaceae, order Fabales), of leguminous, dicotyledonous plants, including peanuts, clover, vetch, alfalfa and many beans

Idioms:

as like as two peas (in a pod)

Word origin of 'pea'

back-form. < ME pese, pees, a pea, taken as pl. < OE pise < LL pisa < L, pl. of pisum, a pea < Gr pison, a pea

Example sentences containing 'pea'

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Especially the anoraks and the pea soup. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Are its peas not grown on British shores? Times, Sunday Times (2016)A green pea soup was thickened with sour cream and then made bolder with chilli paste. The Sun (2016) Sweet peas, on the other hand, are just the thing. Times, Sunday Times (2016)With age, some take on an asparagus note, and you can detect traces of fennel and sweet pea. Times, Sunday Times (2017)My main course of lobster and chips with mushy peas was a generous size, although the batter slightly overwhelmed the lobster's flavour. Times, Sunday Times (2016) Planting sweet peas got her back on track. The Sun (2016)Keep picking your sweet peas if you want them to go on producing more flowers. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Add the chickpeas and peas to the pan and cook for another five minutes. The Sun (2015)Use grilled rashers or diced ham as a garnish for pea or spinach soup. Times, Sunday Times (2008)One of my favourite suppers would have to be a simple broad bean and pea risotto. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They can be as small as a pea or as big as a melon. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It has lush clusters of fragrant white flowers like sweet peas. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Add the chickpeas and peas and cook for another five minutes. The Sun (2015)Add peas and beans to warm through. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Put the peas in a small bowl and let them thaw. Times, Sunday Times (2014)How about sweet peas for fragrance and delicacy of form and colour? Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)They are studying how plants such as peas grab the nutrient nitrogen from the air to boost their yields. The Sun (2012)Serve with chips, mushy peas and lemon wedge. Times, Sunday Times (2013)At some stage in their life, most gardeners will grow annual sweet peas. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Then we'll have a whole salmon in white wine served with green peas and new potatoes. Times, Sunday Times (2011)And no one buys mushy peas if they're grey. The Sun (2008)Space the canes 8in apart and plant a sweet pea at the bottom of each one. Times, Sunday Times (2008)She was delighted to hear her namesake sweet pea has been grown continuously for more than 60 years. The Sun (2008)Oh, and of course no freezer should be without frozen peas and pastry, as you can do so much with them. Times, Sunday Times (2009)