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.
Researchers found that a daily serving of black beans or chickpeas significantly lowered cholesterol and inflammation in people with pre-diabetes over just 12 weeks. Alice G. Walton, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 Nonperishables that come in aluminum or steel cans — think beans, chickpeas, and soups — are typically thought of as a way for shoppers to economize. Anne Marie D. Lee, CBS News, 5 June 2025 Or try roasting chickpeas for a crunchy afternoon snack. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025 Stir in the vegetable stock and the chickpeas along with their liquid. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 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 12 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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