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legume
[leg-yoom, li-gyoom]
noun
any plant of the legume family, especially those used for feed, food, or as a soil-improving crop.
the pod or seed vessel of such a plant.
any table vegetable of the legume family.
legume
/ lɪˈɡjuːm, ˈlɛɡjuːm /
noun
the long dry dehiscent fruit produced by leguminous plants; a pod
any table vegetable of the family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae ), esp beans or peas
any leguminous plant
legume
Any of a large number of eudicot plants belonging to the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). Their characteristic fruit is a seed pod. Legumes live in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in structures called nodules on their roots. These bacteria are able to take nitrogen from the air, which is in a form that plants cannot use, and convert it into compounds that the plants can use. Many legumes are widely cultivated for food, as fodder for livestock, and as a means of improving the nitrogen content of soils. Beans, peas, clover, alfalfa, locust trees, and acacia trees are all legumes.
The seed pod of such a plant.
Other Word Forms
- nonlegume noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of legume1
Word History and Origins
Origin of legume1
Example Sentences
Cultural staples like hummus, muhammara, guacamole and Ethiopian legume stews all fall under the purée umbrella.
If I had to power rank spring’s most quintessential legumes, I’d place fava beans at the very top.
Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes remain the best source of prebiotics, and these beverages should be part of a broader, balanced approach to health.
Corn farmers across the Midwest are experimenting with drought-resistant millets, while growers in Sub-Saharan Africa are embracing varieties of sorghum and legumes that require less water than other grains.
Plant-based foods like legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds are incredibly nutrient-dense, delivering a variety of vitamins, minerals and fiber in every bite.
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When To Use
The word legume most commonly refers to the edible seed pods of plants in the legume family, which includes some beans, peas, and lentils.The peanut is famously not a nut but a legume.The word legume can also refer to the plants themselves. These include herbs, shrubs, trees, and vines that usually have compound leaves and clusters of irregular flowers.The fruit from such plants (the beans or other edible part) usually comes in the form of a pod that splits along both sides—chickpeas and peanuts split down the middle in this way.Many legumes are widely grown as food for humans and animals. Some legumes are planted to improve the nitrogen content of the soil where they grow.An adjective form of the word is leguminous, which is used to describe such plants.Example: My nutritionist recommended legumes as a good source of protein.
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