cowpea

noun

cow·​pea ˈkau̇-ˌpē How to pronounce cowpea (audio)
: a sprawling herb (Vigna unguiculata synonym V. sinensis) of the legume family related to the bean and widely cultivated in the southern U.S. for forage, green manure, and edible seeds
also : its edible seed

called also black-eyed pea, field pea

Examples of cowpea 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.
Hunters should remember Alyce clover (not a true clover), beets, buckwheat, cereal rye, cowpeas, iron clay peas, radishes (not a brassica family member), and winter peas can make for great food plot options. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 2024 In reality, cowpeas and black eyed peas are the same thing! Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023 Earlier recipes dating back to the 1800s called for cowpeas, red peas, or field peas. Paige Grandjean, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023 Field peas are cowpeas, so named because they were grown as a rotational crop in the fields instead of in kitchen gardens. Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for cowpea 

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cowpea was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near cowpea

Cite this Entry

“Cowpea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cowpea. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cowpea

noun
cow·​pea ˈkau̇-ˌpē How to pronounce cowpea (audio)
: a sprawling herb related to the bean and grown in the southern U.S. especially as food for livestock and for green manure
also : its edible seed

called also black-eyed pea

More from Merriam-Webster on cowpea

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