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.”
noun
1
A seed case of a plant, especially a legume, that splits open when ripe.
"She shelled the peas straight from their pods."
"The gardener left a few bean pods on the vine to dry for seeds."
"Each pod split open with a soft crack, scattering tiny seeds across the soil."
2
A group of whales, dolphins, or similar sea mammals.
"A pod of dolphins followed the boat for miles."
"We watched a pod of whales rise and dive near the headland."
"The researchers recorded how each pod communicates with its own set of calls."
3
A small, separate compartment or unit, especially one attached to a larger structure.
"The astronauts detached the escape pod before re-entry."
"Guests at the capsule hotel sleep in a tiny private pod."
"The engineers fitted a camera pod beneath the aircraft's wing."
verb
1
To produce or grow seed pods.
"The bean plants had begun to pod nicely by midsummer."
"Sweet peas pod late if the summer is cold and wet."
"Once the flowers fade, the plants will pod and the seeds can be collected."
How to use pod
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- pods
- Past tense
- podded
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.
Synonyms
View more →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.
