pea
pee
Pea (noun) means a climbing plant (Pisum sativum) grown for its edible seeds and pods. Example: “We planted peas along the garden fence in early spring.”
noun
1
A climbing plant (Pisum sativum) grown for its edible seeds and pods.
"We planted peas along the garden fence in early spring."
2
The small round edible seed of this plant, eaten fresh, frozen, or dried.
"She stirred a handful of frozen peas into the risotto."
"Mushy peas are a classic side with fish and chips."
How to use pea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe small green vegetable that grows in pods, and the plant it comes from.
Memory tip
The old word "pease" is now only really seen in the phrase "pease pudding" — everyday English uses "pea"/"peas".
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
garden peas
a pod of peas
mushy peas
pea soup
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Word forms
- Plural
- peas, pease
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We planted _____ along the garden fence in early spring.
Etymology
"Pea" is actually a back-formation: the older word "pease" (as in the nursery rhyme "pease pudding") was originally both singular and plural, but people mistook the "s" for a plural ending and invented a new singular, "pea".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pea
See all rhymes for pea →Frequently asked questions
What does “pea” mean?
The word “pea” means a climbing plant (Pisum sativum) grown for its edible seeds and pods. In plain terms, the small green vegetable that grows in pods, and the plant it comes from.
How do you pronounce “pea”?
“Pea” is pronounced pee (/piː/ in IPA).
How do you use “pea” in a sentence?
Here is “pea” used in a sentence: “We planted peas along the garden fence in early spring.”
What part of speech is “pea”?
“Pea” is a noun.
Is “pea” a common word?
“Pea” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “pea” have?
“Pea” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a climbing plant (Pisum sativum) grown for its edible seeds and pods.
What is the difference between a pea and a bean?
Peas and beans are both edible legume seeds, but they come from different plants and typically differ in shape and how they're prepared, with peas being small and round and often eaten fresh, frozen, or dried, while beans are usually larger and more varied in shape. Both grow in pods on climbing plants but belong to different species within the legume family.
Why are peas sometimes eaten in the pod and sometimes shelled?
Some pea varieties, such as snap peas, have tender pods meant to be eaten whole, while others are grown specifically for their seeds, which are shelled from the tough pod before eating. Whether a pea is eaten in the pod or shelled depends on the variety and how it is prepared.
Can "pea" refer to the plant itself, not just the seed?
Yes, pea can refer either to the climbing plant, Pisum sativum, grown for its pods, or to the small round edible seed the plant produces, depending on context.
