plural legumes
1
a
: the dry fruit of plants of the legume family (such as peas or beans) that develops from a single carpel of a flower and usually splits into two halves with seeds attached to the seam of one half : pod entry 1 sense 1
b
: the fruit or seeds of a legume plant (such as the peanut or tamarind) used for food
2
: any of a large family (Leguminosae synonym Fabaceae, the legume family) of dicotyledonous plants that have fruits that are legumes and roots with nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria and that includes important food and forage plants (such as peas, beans, or clovers)
Examples of legume in a Sentence
recipes that include legumes like lentils and chickpeas
Recent Examples on the Web
Though technically a legume, peanuts are often treated as nuts in culinary terms.
—
Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024
And the hints for today’s groups are: Yellow group — legumes
Green group — bring attention to yourself, perhaps
Blue group — auto options
Purple group — maybe these are worth dipping into
What Are Today’s Connections Groups?
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
These days, Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils, but this legume is also grown in the U.S. in some of parts of the West and Midwest.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024
The sausages are made of fruits, legumes and vegetables and are certified by the American Heart Assn.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legume 
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Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024
And the hints for today’s groups are: Yellow group — legumes
Green group — bring attention to yourself, perhaps
Blue group — auto options
Purple group — maybe these are worth dipping into
What Are Today’s Connections Groups?
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
These days, Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils, but this legume is also grown in the U.S. in some of parts of the West and Midwest.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024
The sausages are made of fruits, legumes and vegetables and are certified by the American Heart Assn.
—Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legume
Dictionary Entries Near legume
Cite this Entry
“Legume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legume. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
1
: the fruit or seed of leguminous plants (as peas or beans) used for food
2
: any plant of the family Leguminosae
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