Word
legume
US/ˈɫɛɡˌjum/
UK/lˈɛɡjuːm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a type of plant that grows its seeds in a pod, like beans, peas, and lentils. You eat the seeds as food.
n. a plant of the pea family that bears seeds in a pod, such as beans, peas, lentils, and soybeans. Also refers to the edible seed from such a plant.
Examples
“I cook lentils and other legumes every week.”
“The farmer grows legumes like soybeans and peas to improve the soil for next year.”
“Because legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, agronomists often rotate them with cereals to reduce fertilizer use while maintaining yields.”
Examples
simple
“I cook lentils and other legumes every week.”
contextual
“The farmer grows legumes like soybeans and peas to improve the soil for next year.”
complex
“Because legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, agronomists often rotate them with cereals to reduce fertilizer use while maintaining yields.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “legume” in context.
Verb
01. boil legume
“Boil legumes thoroughly to make them easier to digest.”
verb + noun
02. eat legume
“Many vegetarians eat legumes every day as a source of protein.”
verb + noun
03. grow legume
“Farmers in this region grow legumes to improve the soil.”
verb + noun
04. legume contains
“This legume contains a high amount of fibre and plant protein.”
noun + verb
05. legume provides
“Each legume provides essential vitamins, iron and folate.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. cooked legume
“She added cooked legumes to the salad for extra protein.”
adj + noun
07. dried legume
“Dried legumes need to be soaked for several hours before cooking.”
adj + noun
08. edible legume
“Lentils are one of the most widely grown edible legumes in the world.”
adj + noun
09. fresh legume
“Fresh legumes from the market cook much faster than old ones.”
adj + noun
10. a diet rich in legumes
“A diet rich in legumes is good for health and the environment.”
11. add cooked legumes to salads
“Add cooked legumes to salads for extra fibre and flavour.”
12. include legumes in your diet
“Doctors recommend you include legumes in your diet twice a week.”
Usage
Commonly used in the plural when referring to the food group.
Real-World Examples
“That could help, but you’d be better off eating some veggies, fruit and legumes, and getting that solid foundation that all health professionals agree on first.” “Soya, flax and legumes could become a more common sight as conditions for growing them become more favourable and that desire to grow them locally continues.” “The incident occurred in a grocery store run by his parents, where the toddler managed to grab the legumes from a sack and put them in his mouth.” “For instance, protein-rich beans, legumes and whole grains are packed with something most Americans aren’t eating enough of : fiber.” Etymology
Borrowed from French légume, from Latin legūmen (“bean”). Doublet of legumen.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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