plural peas also pease ˈpēz How to pronounce pea (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: 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

Illustration of pea
  • pea 1a

Examples of pea in a Sentence

We're growing tomatoes and peas in our garden this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Always make sure to grow peas on a trellis or other structure to increase yield and protect the plants from disease. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 7 Apr. 2026 Students are also taught that unlike the seed coats on Mendel’s peas, most human traits aren’t driven by single genes. Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Apr. 2026 Each pea is a miraculous burst of freshness that can stand up to assertive flavors. Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026 When science said dinosaurs were pea-brained and cold-blooded, humans took their demise as proof of the superiority of warm, clever mammals. Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 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

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of pea was in 1666

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pea. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

pea

noun
plural peas also pease ˈpēz How to pronounce pea (audio)
1
a
: a plant of the legume family that is widely grown for its pods of protein-rich edible rounded seeds
b
: the seed of a pea
2
: a plant (as the sweet pea) related to the pea

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