English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

pod

POD

Pod (noun) means a seed case of a plant, especially a legume, that splits open when ripe. Example: “She shelled the peas straight from their pods.”

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
noun
1
A seed case of a plant, especially a legume, that splits open when ripe.
"She shelled the peas straight from their pods."
2
A group of whales, dolphins, or similar sea mammals.
"A pod of dolphins followed the boat for miles."
3
A small, separate compartment or unit, especially one attached to a larger structure.
"The astronauts detached the escape pod before re-entry."
verb
1
To produce or grow seed pods.
"The bean plants had begun to pod nicely by midsummer."

How to use pod

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA seed case on a plant, a group of sea mammals, or a small self-contained unit or compartment.

Common pairings
pea pod pod of whales escape pod
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pod.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

podded past tense, pods singular

Test yourself on “pod” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She shelled the peas straight from their _____.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; possibly linked to an Old English word for an outer covering or garment.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “pod” mean?

The word “pod” means a seed case of a plant, especially a legume, that splits open when ripe. In plain terms, a seed case on a plant, a group of sea mammals, or a small self-contained unit or compartment.

How do you pronounce “pod”?

“Pod” is pronounced POD (/ˈpɑd/ in IPA).

How do you use “pod” in a sentence?

Here is “pod” used in a sentence: “She shelled the peas straight from their pods.”

What part of speech is “pod”?

Depending on how it is used, “pod” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “pod” come from?

The word “pod” comes from Old English. Origin uncertain; possibly linked to an Old English word for an outer covering or garment.

Is “pod” a common word?

“Pod” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “pod” have?

“Pod” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a seed case of a plant, especially a legume, that splits open when ripe.

What is the difference between a pod and a shell?

A pod is the seed case of a plant such as a legume that splits open when ripe, typically referring to soft cases like pea or bean pods. A shell usually refers to a harder outer covering, such as a nutshell, so the two terms are not fully interchangeable.

What is a pod of whales called that?

A group of whales, dolphins, or similar sea mammals is called a pod because they travel and socialize together as a unit, similar to how a herd or flock describes other animal groups.

What does pod mean in technology or design contexts?

In technology and design, a pod often refers to a small, separate compartment or unit attached to a larger structure, such as an escape pod, a seating pod, or a shipping container pod. This usage extends the idea of a self-contained enclosed space.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial