sweet pea

noun

1
: a widely cultivated Italian legume (Lathyrus odoratus) having slender usually climbing stems, ovate leaves, and large fragrant flowers
2
: the flower of a sweet pea

Examples of sweet pea in a Sentence

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.
Smell: Anise Hyssop (Licorice-like scent), hyacinths, Lily-of-the-valley, lilac, heliotrope, sweet pea, honeysuckle. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 Grow sweet peas in full sun with rich, well-draining soil and deadhead often to promote continuous flowering. Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025 Starters might include crisp baby artichokes paired with creamy local goat cheese and briny olive tapenade, or tender sweet pea agnolotti nestled in a corn velouté (a silky classic French sauce) and crispy guanciale. Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Burberry whisked its crew off to the Cotswolds and Highgrove Gardens, hosting a private tour and a painting masterclass—led by the Highgrove collection’s print illustrator Helen Bullock—in the Kitchen Gardens, surrounded by sweet peas and poppies. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sweet pea

Word History

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweet pea was in 1732

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sweet pea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet%20pea. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sweet pea

noun
1
: a widely grown Italian herb of the legume family with slender climbing stems and large fragrant flowers
2
: the flower of a sweet pea

More from Merriam-Webster on sweet pea

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!