legume
noun
le·gume ˈle-ˌgyüm 
li-ˈgyüm
li-ˈgyüm 1
a
: the fruit or seed of plants of the legume family (such as peas or beans) used for food
b
: a vegetable used for food
2
: any of a large family (Leguminosae synonym Fabaceae, the legume family) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees having fruits that are legumes (sense 3) or loments, bearing nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and including important food and forage plants (such as peas, beans, or clovers)
3
: a dry dehiscent one-celled fruit developed from a simple superior ovary and usually dehiscing into two valves with the seeds attached to the ventral suture : pod
Example Sentences
recipes that include legumes like lentils and chickpeas
Recent Examples on the Web What makes this legume product unique is that it's made from 100% yellow peas and not the usual chickpeas or lentils. 
Amy Fischer Ms, Rd, Good Housekeeping, 18 Aug. 2022 Ulian’s specialty, the marama bean, is a legume native to southern Africa. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2022 Behind the doors of the grill’s kitchen in the early afternoon, Leila Chahine stood over a metal table near the oven and pulverized chickpeas in a food processor, mixing the legume with olive oil and and ladles of tahini to make a creamy hummus. Sarah Parvinistaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2022 Hardy and drought-resistant, the Bambara groundnut is a type of legume — the same food family as peanuts, peas, and beans — that originates from West Africa, but is now cultivated across the continent and in Asia. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 8 May 2022 Vegan protein powder can be made from virtually any legume, seed, or grain, from hemp seeds to brown rice to watermelon seeds. Amanda Shapiro, Bon Appétit, 8 Mar. 2022 The legume family, which includes lentils, beans (black, cannellini, kidney, navy and more), soybeans, peas and chickpeas, provides plant protein in a highly nourishing package. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2022 By the late 1800s, the legume had grown from a Southern regional crop to one with national appeal across the United States. Jessica Damiano, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Feb. 2022 And based on your responses over the years, Hoppin’ John is a popular way to enjoy this tasty legume. al, 30 Dec. 2021 See More
Amy Fischer Ms, Rd, Good Housekeeping, 18 Aug. 2022 Ulian’s specialty, the marama bean, is a legume native to southern Africa. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2022 Behind the doors of the grill’s kitchen in the early afternoon, Leila Chahine stood over a metal table near the oven and pulverized chickpeas in a food processor, mixing the legume with olive oil and and ladles of tahini to make a creamy hummus. Sarah Parvinistaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2022 Hardy and drought-resistant, the Bambara groundnut is a type of legume — the same food family as peanuts, peas, and beans — that originates from West Africa, but is now cultivated across the continent and in Asia. Rebecca Cairns, CNN, 8 May 2022 Vegan protein powder can be made from virtually any legume, seed, or grain, from hemp seeds to brown rice to watermelon seeds. Amanda Shapiro, Bon Appétit, 8 Mar. 2022 The legume family, which includes lentils, beans (black, cannellini, kidney, navy and more), soybeans, peas and chickpeas, provides plant protein in a highly nourishing package. Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2022 By the late 1800s, the legume had grown from a Southern regional crop to one with national appeal across the United States. Jessica Damiano, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Feb. 2022 And based on your responses over the years, Hoppin’ John is a popular way to enjoy this tasty legume. al, 30 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
French légume, from Latin legumin-, legumen leguminous plant, from legere to gather — more at legend
First Known Use
1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
legume
noun
le·gume ˈle-ˌgyüm
: any of a large group of plants (as peas, beans, and clover) with fruits that are pods which split into two parts and root nodules containing bacteria that fix nitrogen
Medical Definition
legume
noun
le·gume ˈleg-ˌyüm li-ˈgyüm
li-ˈgyüm 1
: the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food
2
: any plant of the family Leguminosae