groundnut

noun

ground·​nut ˈgrau̇n(d)-ˌnət How to pronounce groundnut (audio)
1
a
: any of several plants having edible tuberous roots
especially : a North American leguminous vine (Apios americana) with pinnate leaves and clusters of brownish-purple fragrant flowers
b
: the root of a groundnut
2
chiefly British : peanut

Examples of groundnut 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.
Fonio is planted in rotation with Bambara groundnuts, and indigo fields around them. Osayi Endolyn, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2025 Peanuts, scientifically known as Arachis hypogaea and sometimes called groundnuts, are legumes belonging to the Fabaceae family, which includes beans and lentils. Johna Burdeos, Health, 5 Aug. 2024 Now its export ban could deepen a global food crisis Only China produces more rice, wheat, cotton, groundnuts, fruits and vegetables than India. Rhea Mogul, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 His America reveres Creole hash browns, West African groundnut stew, Jamaican ackee and saltfish and Ethiopian doro wat. Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2022 Learn how to make such dishes as traditional baklawa with pistachio and Ghanaian groundnut soup, then sit down to a facilitated discussion that includes experiences of resettlement while dining on your creations. Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2020 The same was the case with coconut, palm oil and groundnut. Michael E Odijie, Quartz Africa, 10 Oct. 2019 The leopards’ presence is welcomed for keeping neelgai antelope, wild boar, and chinkara (Indian gazelles) away from crops of cotton, maize, wheat, mustard, and groundnut. National Geographic, 22 Mar. 2019 During lunch at a beachside resort, try out local specialties like groundnut stew and jollof rice. National Geographic, 12 June 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundnut was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Groundnut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundnut. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

groundnut

noun
ground·​nut ˈgrau̇n(d)-ˌnət How to pronounce groundnut (audio)
chiefly British

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