chickpea

noun

chick·​pea ˈchik-ˌpē How to pronounce chickpea (audio)
: an Asian herb (Cicer arietinum) of the legume family cultivated for its short pods with one or two seeds
also : its seed

Examples of chickpea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such foods include legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds and beans, which are all good sources of tryptophan, according to the book. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 To make your spud more of a meal, consider splitting it in half to fill with turkey chili, Sloppy Joe meat, barbecued chicken, pulled pork, jammy egg salad, or roasted chickpeas and a drizzle of tahini. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2025 Legumes Legumes, such as chickpeas, lentils, black beans, and peas, are good alternatives for vegetarians who want to consume more protein. Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025 Whole grains like quinoa and farro paired with legumes like chickpeas and beans make for a filling, high-protein meal with plenty of fiber. Alice Callahan, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chickpea

Word History

Etymology

alteration of chich pea, from Middle English chiche, from Anglo-French, from Latin cicer

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chickpea was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chickpea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chickpea. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

chickpea

noun
chick·​pea ˈchik-ˌpē How to pronounce chickpea (audio)
: an Asian herb of the legume family cultivated for its short pods with one or two edible seeds
also : its seed

More from Merriam-Webster on chickpea

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